The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received 147 Nigerian migrants who returned from Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, as part of ongoing efforts to assist citizens coming back home.
The returnees arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano on March 5, 2026, at about 12:19 p.m. local time aboard a flight operated by Sky Mali Airline.
In a statement released by NEMA’s Kano Operations Office, the agency explained that the reception exercise was carried out in collaboration with several organisations responsible for humanitarian support and security.
“The reception of the returnees was conducted in partnership with relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth and coordinated process,” the agency stated.
The statement noted that agencies involved in the operation included the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others.
According to NEMA, the returnees were profiled the following day to properly document them and determine the necessary support services.
“The profiling exercise for the returnees was conducted on March 6, 2026, to capture their details and facilitate further assistance,” the agency said.
A breakdown of the group showed that the returnees comprised 136 adult men, five adult women, three male children, and three female children.
NEMA commended the cooperation among participating organisations, noting that their joint efforts contributed to the successful completion of the exercise.
“The collaborative efforts of all stakeholders ensured that the reception and documentation process was well-coordinated, successful and hitch-free,” the agency added.
The agency had earlier handled a similar repatriation in 2025 when 148 Nigerians evacuated from Sudan were received at the same airport aboard a chartered flight operated by Tarco Aviation.
Following that operation, the returnees were taken to Chila Hotel where they underwent documentation and profiling by relevant authorities.
