FG Repatriates Another 493 Nigerians From Libya, Reveals Rehabilitation Plan

Some Nigerians evacuated from Libya being received by NEMA officials

The Federal Government has repatriated another 493 Nigerians from Libya.

Naija News gathered that the returnees arrived yesterday in a Max Air which landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport at exactly 4:45p.m.

The returnees who are among the over 5,000 Nigerians expected to be evacuated from the North African country in the next two weeks, were later moved to a transit camp located within the airport for immigration and medical check up.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, while receiving the returnees at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, said the Federal Government has pledged to rehabilitate and train all the returnees on skills to enable them to be independent and fend for themselves.

Onyeama said: “We know that many of you were trafficked; we know that many of you were taken to Libya without your consent. I want to assure you that the federal government will rehabilitate you and train you on skills to enable you cater for yourselves like other Nigerians.

“We want you to tell other young boys and girls about what you had closely experienced so that they will not make mistakes or be deceived into embarking on this hazardous journey.”

The minister said that President Muhammadu Buhari sent him in company of the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja, the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Sadiya Faruk, and the Special Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to Libya to negotiate for the safe return of the Nigerians.

He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari put all necessary arrangements in place to enable us travel to Libya to bring you back to Nigeria. I was accompanied on the journey by the Director-General of NEMA, Federal Commissioner for Refugees and the Special Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs, among others.

“All of us went to Libya, met with their leaders and discussed to ensure your safe passage here. We faced a lot of challenges but we were able to overcome them and brought you back to Nigeria. We saw the conditions in which you were held; they were very difficult conditions. You were held in Libya under very inhuman condition.

“We all saw the very traumatic conditions in which you were held and our hearts went out to you. I must say each and every one of us was proud of you because not withstanding what you went through, you maintained your dignity. You maintained your respect. You stood up when we came and you sang the Nigerian National Anthem and recited the pledge. You respected yourselves despite the most harrowing conditions you were held. We are so proud of you. And we know one thing you have learnt is that your lives mean much to Nigeria and Nigerians.”

“Your return has been a result of national team work. I wish to on your behalf thank especially the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Chief Kenneth Kobani, who has been with us since yesterday waiting to receive you.”

“Mr. President is determined to make the country better so that our youth will never want to leave this country to pass through what you have experienced,”Onyeama added.