adminreporter
The Nigerian government has repatriated 153 Nigerians from the Republic of Chad under the International Organisation for Migration’s (IOM) Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) Programme, coordinated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
According to a statement from NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office, the returnees arrived at the Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday, October 27, 2025, at about 12:15pm.
They were flown in aboard an AS-SKY Airlines flight with registration number CAS-AC.
The breakdown of the returnees, according to NEMA, includes 105 adults (63 males and 42 females), 45 children (25 males and 20 females), and three infants (all females).
Upon arrival, NEMA said that officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) conducted biometric registration and profiling of the returnees to ensure proper documentation and facilitate their reintegration processes.
“In line with the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safe, dignified, and humane return of citizens, the returnees were provided with immediate humanitarian assistance, including food and potable water, medical care and ambulance services, luggage handling and logistics support,” NEMA stated.
The agency further noted that counselling sessions were also offered to aid the returnees’ reintegration into their respective communities.
The statement noted that the repatriation was jointly coordinated by NEMA, IOM, and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), in collaboration with other relevant government agencies.
NEMA noted that the successful operation underscores Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to prioritise the welfare of its citizens abroad, particularly those stranded due to conflict, irregular migration, or economic hardship.
“The seamless and well-organised reception reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to prioritise the welfare and dignity of Nigerians returning from abroad,” the agency said.
The return of the 153 Nigerians from Chad added to a series of similar exercises carried out by the Federal Government in recent months.
Earlier in September 2025, NEMA received 298 Nigerians repatriated from Libya through the same AVR programme, while in August, 162 Nigerians were returned from the Niger Republic following a coordinated effort by IOM and the Nigerian authorities.
In July, 198 Nigerians were airlifted from Sudan as part of the federal government’s continuous evacuation of citizens affected by the prolonged conflict in the country.
