A fresh wave of stranded Nigerian migrants has returned home after 497 citizens were evacuated from Niger Republic through a coordinated humanitarian operation led by the Federal Government and the International Organization for Migration.
The returnees arrived at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Friday afternoon after departing from Agadez in Niger Republic.
Moreover, officials described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to support vulnerable Nigerians stranded outside the country.
The migrants were received by officials of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons alongside several security and humanitarian agencies in Kano.
According to officials, the evacuation exercise was carried out under the Voluntary Humanitarian Return programme organised by the International Organization for Migration.
Speaking during the reception, the Federal Commissioner of the commission, Dr. Tijjani Aliyu Ahmed, said the evacuation followed strong collaboration between the Federal Government and international partners.
Represented by the Kano Field Coordinator of the commission, Lubah Liman, the commissioner explained that preparations for the operation had started earlier through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said the ministry, through its Consular and Migration Affairs Division, informed the commission about plans to evacuate stranded Nigerians from Agadez between May 22 and May 25, 2026.
According to him, the exercise is being handled in two separate batches in partnership with the International Organization for Migration and other government agencies.
“The first batch, initially projected to comprise about 600 returnees, arrived with a total of 497 persons,” he said.
The operation attracted the support of several government and humanitarian agencies. Furthermore, officials stressed the importance of coordinated efforts in handling migrant-related emergencies.
Agencies involved in the reception included NAPTIP, NEMA, Nigeria Immigration Service, NSCDC, NDLEA, DSS, SEMA and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
Meanwhile, the returnees underwent documentation and screening procedures shortly after arrival in Kano.
Officials disclosed that the Nigeria Immigration Service carried out MIDAS registration for proper identification and profiling of the migrants.
After the screening exercise, the evacuees were moved to the Immigration Training School in Kano for feeding and humanitarian support services.
The exercise also revealed the difficult realities faced by many citizens stranded outside the country. Consequently, humanitarian agencies have continued to call for stronger awareness campaigns on irregular migration.
A breakdown of the returnees showed that the group included 174 adult males, 97 adult females, 137 boys and 89 girls.
Furthermore, officials said many of the migrants had faced hardship and uncertainty before the evacuation process was completed.
The Federal Government has continued to work with international organisations to support stranded Nigerians across different countries. In addition, authorities said more humanitarian operations could be carried out when necessary.
The latest evacuation comes amid rising concerns about irregular migration routes across parts of West and North Africa.
Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies have urged young Nigerians to seek safer and legal migration opportunities while avoiding dangerous routes often controlled by traffickers and criminal networks.
