‘Life was difficult in Libya’- Returnees share ordeal as 329 arrive Kano

By Ramatu Garba

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Sunday received another batch of 329 stranded Nigerians from Agadez, Niger Republic.

The Head of Operations, NEMA Kano Office, Dr Nura Abdullahi, disclosed this while receiving the returnees at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the returnees arrived at the airport at about 10:50 a.m. conveyed in six luxurious buses.

He said the returnees were brought back to Kano by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Mission in Niger Republic, and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), through a voluntary repatriation.

“The programme was meant to ensure the safe and dignified return of stranded Nigerians”, he said

Abdullahi said the returnees comprised 165 males, 72 females, 46 boys and 46 girls from Kaduna, Jigawa, Kano, Borno and Katsina states, among others.
He said after physical verification and profiling, the returnees would be transported back to their respective states.

NAN also reports that the returnees were provided with food, while those with health challenges received medical attention.

He advised the returnees and other Nigerians to look beyond seeking better livelihoods outside the country and avoid endangering their lives through irregular migration.

Abdullahi urged the returnees to serve as advocates against irregular migration by sensitising other youths on its dangers.

One of the returnees, Mrs Fatima Sani, a widow and mother of five from Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, said she travelled to Libya in search of a better livelihood.

“My husband died two years ago, leaving me with five children. We had no food to eat and could not pay our house rent. That was why I travelled to Libya to make money to pay my rent and start a business,” she said.

Sani said she was attacked by thieves who collected her money, adding that life in Libya was difficult.

“I worked as a house help in Libya, doing chores such as sweeping and washing dishes. Life was not easy in Libya,” she said.

Another returnee, Mrs Saihatu Idris, said she travelled to Libya with her two children to sell ready-made clothes.

“This was my first time travelling to Libya. Bandits attacked us and stole my clothes and money.

“I only spent 24 days there. I now realise Nigeria is safer,” she said.

She appealed to the government to support them with grants to care for their families and rebuild their lives.

NAN reports that the returnees were received by the officials of NEMA, SEMA, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, and Red Cross Society, among others.(NAN)