6,500 stranded Nigerians repatriated from seven countries

Migrants brought home from Libya arrive in Benin City in Edo State, Nigeria on December 6, 2017. More than 14,000 Nigerians have been flown back on chartered planes from Libya since 2017 under a voluntary IOM scheme. PHOTO | AFP

Over 6,500 stranded Nigerians were repatriated from no fewer than seven countries in two years, SUNDAY PUNCH reports.

These countries include Libya, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ghana, Niger Republic, and Chad.

Data from the International Organisation for Migration, the National Emergency Management Agency, and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission revealed the extent of this large-scale repatriation.

In 2023, no fewer than 5,219 stranded Nigerians were evacuated from Sudan, Libya, Niger Republic, and Saudi Arabia.

Checks by Sunday PUNCH showed that 2,849 stranded Nigerians were evacuated from Sudan, 1,916 from Libya, 441 from the Niger Republic and 13 from Saudi Arabia.

In 2024, no fewer than 1,621 stranded Nigerians were evacuated from Libya, Sudan, United Arab Emirate, Chad, and Ghana.

Checks by SUNDAY PUNCH showed that 29 stranded Nigerians were evacuated from Sudan, 1,130 from Libya, 190 from UAE, 122 from Ghana, and 150 from Chad.

The surge in migration, driven by the desire for better opportunities abroad, is often referred to as the ‘Japa syndrome,’ which involves both skilled and unskilled Nigerians migrating to Europe and other developed regions.