The Federal Government has evacuated and repatriated 1,230 Nigerians stranded in the Republic of Niger, in what it described as part of ongoing efforts to protect citizens abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the returnees arrived Nigeria in two batches, with 708 persons brought back on March 23, while another 522 arrived on March 29.
Ebienfa said the operation was carried out in collaboration with key partners, including the International Organization for Migration, describing it as a reflection of the government’s commitment to the welfare and safety of Nigerians in the diaspora.
He explained that the returnees were received in Kano by a coordinated team of federal and state agencies, including the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, and the National Emergency Management Agency, among others.
Also involved in the reception were security agencies such as the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, alongside officials of the Kano and Katsina State Governments.
Upon arrival, the evacuees were documented and provided with temporary accommodation at the Immigration Training School in Kano, where they received basic humanitarian support before being reintegrated.
“After the necessary procedures, the evacuees were discharged and reunited with their families,” Ebienfa said.
He noted that the exercise demonstrated a proactive approach by the government in responding to the needs of Nigerians abroad, especially those facing difficult conditions.
The ministry also commended the Government of Niger for its cooperation in facilitating the smooth return of the affected citizens.
Ebienfa urged Nigerians living outside the country to remain law-abiding and maintain regular contact with Nigerian diplomatic missions to ensure timely assistance when necessary.
The latest evacuation adds to similar efforts by the Federal Government in recent years.
In 2023, authorities repatriated thousands of Nigerians from Libya and Sudan following conflicts and worsening humanitarian conditions, with support from international partners, including the IOM.
Those operations, like the latest exercise from Niger, involved coordinated responses among multiple agencies to ensure safe return and reintegration of citizens.
