Between January and April 2025, the Federal Government, in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), facilitated the return of over 2,000 Nigerians stranded in Libya, Niger, and Sudan.
According to official figures from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), 1,303 citizens were returned from Libya, 750 from Niger, and 140 from Sudan.
April alone saw 347 Nigerians flown back from Libya. These numbers do not include the recent rescue of 231 victims of human trafficking from Ghana.
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Many of the returnees, mostly young people, were lured with promises of jobs and better lives abroad, only to end up in detention centres, harsh deserts, or under the control of traffickers.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, issued a warning—urging Nigerians to be cautious of fake foreign job offers. The government advised verifying any overseas employment through official channels to avoid falling victim to exploitation.
The repatriation is a reminder of the growing risks tied to irregular migration and fraudulent recruitment schemes. For those who made it back, it’s a hard-earned second chance.
