The Nationwide Emergency Administration Company (NEMA) on Friday acquired one other batch of 266 stranded Nigerians from Niger Republic.

The Director Common of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed-Habib, made the disclosure whereas receiving the returnees on the Mallam Aminu Kano Worldwide Airport, Kano.

Represented by NEMA Coordinator, Kano Territorial Workplace, Nuradeen Abdullahi, the DG stated the returnees arrived and had been acquired on the worldwide wing of the airport.

“The 130 returnees arrived late on Thursday night time whereas 136 arrived on Friday at about 3:50 a.m. with SKY MALI Airways, operated by Ethiopian airways FML5001 with registration quantity VR-CQX,” Mr Ahmed-Habib stated.

He famous that the returnees had been introduced again to Kano underneath the care of the Worldwide Organisation for Migration (IOM) from Niger Republic (Niamey) by means of a voluntary repatriation programme.

“The Programme was meant for the distressed Nigerians who had left the nation to hunt greener pastures in varied European international locations and couldn’t afford to return when their journey grew to become pissed off,” he stated.

The returnees comprised 144 males, 56 females and 66 youngsters.

“The returnees are from completely different elements of the nation; some from Katsina, Kaduna, Bauchi, Sokoto and Kano States, amongst others,” he stated.

He additional defined that the returnees would endure a four-day coaching on obtain self sustainability and be supplied with seed capital to allow them to interact in productive actions to be self-reliant.

“We would like you to function ambassadors, who could be sensitising different Nigerians in opposition to irregular migration.”

He suggested the general public to keep away from endangering their lives by travelling to hunt greener pastures in different international locations, including that no nation was higher than Nigeria.

Based on him, the company, from April to December 13, acquired 723 stranded Nigerians repatriated from Agadas, Niger Republic, Khartoum Sudan, Chad and had been educated in varied abilities acquisition.

He enjoined them to study from their experiences and be regulation abiding residents.

Recounting their ordeals, Hajiya Salamatu Muhammad, from Kano State, stated she travelled to Niger together with her 6-year-old granddaughter to hunt for greener pastures.

“Initially I supposed to journey to Algeria however on our manner, the motive force dropped us in a city referred to as Asamaka in Niger Republic.

“My husband is outdated and his store has been seized so I had no choice than to journey to hunt for greener pastures. Earlier than I left Nigeria, I used to be into making Fura (millet dough ball).

“We spent six months in Asamaka; we surffered, within the course of my granddaughter fell sick, because of this, she couldn’t eat and was given medical drip to outlive,” she stated.

Usman Kabir, one other returnee from Zaria, stated he bought his plot of land to journey to Libya to hunt for greener pastures.

“I used to be a telephone repairer earlier than I left Zaria, I noticed one in every of my mates sending cash to his dad and mom from Libya, that was why I made a decision to hunt for greener pastures.

“My dad and mom are poor and I’m the primary born so I made a decision to journey, to allow me to cater for my dad and mom and siblings, however sadly I used to be stranded within the Sahara.

“My dream of turning into wealthy has ended, I really feel shy to return to my household as a result of I got here again with nothing,” Mr Kabir added.

The returnees had been acquired by NEMA, together with sister safety companies together with SEMA, Nationwide Fee for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs and Nigeria Crimson Cross and SSS.

(NAN)