Another Batch of Returnees Arrive Nigeria From Europe, Libya

No fewer than 41 Nigerian were on Thursday deported from seven European countries, for reportedly committing immigration-related offences.

The 35 male and six female, arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard a Privilege Style aircraft with Registration mark EC-120.

The seven European countries that deported are Australia, Switzerland, Hungary, Netherland, Germany, Norway and Denmark.

“This morning, we received 41 Nigerians who were brought back from Europe. They were made up of 35 males and six females,” Joseph Alabi, spokesman of the Lagos airport police command, told the News Agency of Nigeria.

Thirty four Nigerians were in June deported from six European countries for committing similar offences.

Meanwhile, another set of 128 Nigerians were yesterday repatriated from Libya, aboard a chartered Airbus A320 Afriqiyah aircraft with registration number 5A-ONA.

The deportees, comprising 126 male, two female, arrived the Lagos airport at 5:35pm on Thursday.
They were received by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Police.

Also on ground were officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Suleiman Yakubu, zonal coordinator, south-west, NEMA, advised Nigerians against phantom promises in their quest for pastures overseas.

He said one of those who returned had sustained bullet injuries all over his body had been taken to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for proper medical attention.

He advised Nigerians to stay back and contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of the country.

“There are a lot of things you can do in Nigeria here. You don’t have to travel outside the country in search of greener pastures,” he said.

“My advice to parents is to keep tab on their children and to ensure that they know where their children are going and not to be deceived by phantom promises.”

Maihaja said NEMA and some state governments had put various schemes in place to help rehabilitate and reintegrate returnees into the society.