For 37 children and infants, the journey from Libya back to Nigeria has ended, at least for now.
They were among 180 Nigerians who arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday under a voluntary return programme coordinated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Federal Government.
Their arrival brought a fresh group of Nigerians home from Libya, where many had been living far from their families and communities.
The returnees landed at the airport’s Cargo Terminal in Ikeja at about 4:20 pm aboard an Air Buraq Airlines flight from Sebha, Libya, with registration number 5A-BAE.
But beyond the figures and the arrival of the aircraft lies a story of migration, return and the difficult process of rebuilding lives after leaving home.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) disclosed details of the exercise in a statement issued on Tuesday and shared on its X account on Wednesday.
According to the agency, the group comprised 143 adults, including 75 men and 68 women, as well as 26 children and 11 infants.
The children included 12 boys and 14 girls, while the infants comprised three boys and eight girls.
Their return raises questions about the circumstances that led them to leave Nigeria, the experiences they encountered abroad and the support available to help them begin again.
For those who travelled with young children, the challenge of returning may extend beyond arriving safely at the airport. Re-establishing family connections, finding accommodation and securing a means of livelihood could become part of the next phase of their journey.
Agencies Provide Support For Returnees
NEMA said its Lagos Operations Office received the returnees in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
The Nigeria Immigration Service conducted biometric registration and documentation to establish the identities of the returnees and maintain records for their reintegration.
Upon arrival, they were provided with food, drinking water and medical screening.
The agency said ambulance services were also available for those requiring medical attention, while officials provided luggage handling, logistical assistance and counselling.
Reintegration support was offered to help the returnees settle into their respective communities.
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According to NEMA, the exercise involved relevant government agencies and partners working together to ensure the Nigerians returned safely and were treated with dignity.
Returning Home Is Only The Beginning
While the arrival of the returnees marks the end of their immediate journey from Libya, the process of settling back into Nigeria presents another challenge.
For the adults, rebuilding their lives may involve finding work, reconnecting with relatives and adjusting to life back home.
For the children and infants, the return also places attention on their welfare, access to healthcare and the stability of the families responsible for them.
The voluntary return programme provides a route for Nigerians in Libya to come home, but the longer-term outcome depends on what happens after the arrival ceremony and initial assistance.
NEMA said the intervention was part of efforts to provide immediate support to Nigerians returning from Libya and assist them as they begin the process of reintegration.
The 180 returnees have now arrived in Nigeria.
The next chapter will be about how they rebuild their lives.