Government Assists 708 Nigerians in Emergency Return from Niger

In a coordinated repatriation effort, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) welcomed back 708 Nigerians who had been stranded in Niamey, Niger Republic on Monday.

The returnees arrived in Kano aboard 12 luxury buses and underwent profiling and verification procedures at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport. They included 292 males and 416 females, with many coming from states such as Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Benue, Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kogi, and Niger.

Officials from NEMA said the evacuees were provided with food, blankets, dignity kits, and temporary shelter. Medical support was also made available, with severe cases referred to health facilities. Arrangements are underway to transport returnees back to their home states after further checks.

The government’s Foreign Affairs Ministry facilitated the evacuation in partnership with the Nigerian Embassy in Niamey, with authorities urging citizens to avoid risky journeys abroad in search of economic opportunities.

Many returnees shared personal hardships experienced abroad, including fleeing violence or struggling with living conditions before their return home.