The federal government has repatriated 153 stranded Nigerians from Chad under the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) Programme facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The returnees were received by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos Operations Office.
NEMA, in a statement posted on its X handle, Formerly Twitter on Tuesday, said the returnees arrived at the Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on October 27, 2025, at approximately 12.15am aboard an AS-SKY Airlines flight with registration number CAS-AC.
The breakdown of the returnees includes 105 adults (63 males and 42 females), 45 children (25 males and 20 females), and 3 infants (all females).
NEMA said upon arrival, officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) conducted biometric registration and documentation to ensure accurate profiling and facilitate their smooth reintegration into the country.
“In line with the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safe, dignified and humane return of citizens, the returnees were provided with immediate humanitarian assistance, including food and potable water, medical care and ambulance services, luggage handling and logistics support, as well as general coordination and counselling services.
“The exercise was jointly coordinated by NEMA in collaboration with IOM, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), and other relevant stakeholders. The seamless and well-organized reception reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to prioritize the welfare and dignity of Nigerians returning from abroad,” the statement added.
