The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received a fresh batch of 164 Nigerians who in their failed attempts to travel to Europe for greener pastures, got stranded in Libya.
Receiving the Returnees, Ibrahim Farinloye on behalf of the Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office of the Agency, Alhaji Idris Muhammed, implored the Returnees to seize the fresh opportunity that they have in starting a positive and fruitful life within the abundant resources available in Nigeria.
He said: “There’s nothing bad in questing for improved and better living conditions in the world, but the method and process in seeking greener pastures overseas are mostly wrong and entail avoidable risks.
One will not appreciate the abundant resources God has endowed us within Nigeria until you travel out.
All of you have gone and fortunately come back alive and you are at the best position to tell the story to those still aspiring to embark on such journey.
We understand that many of you were deceived with very juicy opportunities overseas and these are mostly your close relatives, you need to assist the government to stem the menace of trafficking by giving information to government agencies who are going to protect your identity and safety. The traffickers are not ghosts, you know them and you need to save other youths from falling victims.”
Farinloye urged the Returnees to be champions of positive thinking among the youths against the urge that if you don’t travel out, you cannot make a meaningful life. There are more than enough for all of us to tap and make Nigeria greater.
The International Organisation for Migration facilitated their return with special funding by the European Union in an Assisted Voluntary Returnees programme that would end in April 2020.
The Returnees were brought back onboard of Chartered Al Burag Airline Boeing 737-800 flight number 89 with registration number 5A-DMG
They arrived the Cargo Wing of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja at about 12:15 on Friday morning
Ibrahim Farinloye said that upon profiling, the Returnees consisted of 71 female adults, 17 female children and 6 female infants. There are 55 male adults, 13 male children and 2 male infants.
Amongst them are 3 Returnees with medical cases and a pregnant woman who started having labour of childbirth upon arrival in Nigeria
It is also gratifying to say that 2 traffickers were identified by their victims of trafficking and apprehended by officials of NAPTIP during the reception organised by the Federal Government for the Returnees
The Nation
