Why 154 Nigerians were ‘Deported’ from Libya

Deportees

The report of a Libyan Airline aircraft with registration number 5A-LAT that arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos with 154 Nigerians has currently making the news.
The Nigerians who were reportedly deported had actually been stranded in Libya.

Explaining the situation, the spokesperson of the Lagos Airport Police Command, DSP Joseph Alabi, confirmed the return of the Nigerians, comprising 58 male and 96 female , saying they returned voluntarily to the country at about 4.00pm.
“One of them was seriously sick on arrival. His name is Tony Isaac. The officials of the National Emergency Management Agency quickly rushed him to their hospital for treatment.

“Their return was voluntary and I don’t think any of them has committed any crime over there to warrant prosecution,” he said.

The returnees were brought back by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Nigerian Embassy in Libya.

Their details were taken by officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) and the Police.

They were also received by officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

No fewer than 550 Nigerians have returned in batches from Libya since March when the IOM started the voluntary return programme.