By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
The International Organization for Migrants, IOM has disclosed that a joint effort by the Nigerian Government, International Organization for Migration , IOM, with the support of the Economic Commission of West African States, ECOWAS has made it possible for least 150 Nigerian migrants stranded in Niger to return voluntarily to Nigeria on Monday via Kano in charter flight from Niamey.
According to IOM , the migrants consisting of 89% are men and 11% women includes 13 minors coming with their family members.
” The top five states of origin of the returnees are Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, and Borno, taken together these five states account for 91% of the total returns and the remaining 9% from other six states.”
IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Laurent de Boeck said, “The Voluntary Return safeguards the human rights and preserves the integrity of migrants, while upholding international principles and standards.”
In a statement by IOM, a high – level findings visit to Niger in late 2022 revealed an influx of stranded migrants in Niger from Algeria, with the highest number of Nigerian migrants.
The stranded migrants were living in difficult overcrowded conditions in transit centers with the over 4,300 persons for a capacity of 4,000.
While the migrants from Guinea-Conakry, Mali, and Nigeria make up the highest numbers, their protracted stay in the transit centers is compounded by overall socio-political and security situation in the sub-region, as well as issues related to their travel documents.
Director, Humanitarian and Social Affairs, ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe said, ” This is a clear demonstration of the Economic Community of West African States’ commitment to support assisted voluntary return and reintegration of migrants, many of whom are ECOWAS citizens, vulnerable and include unaccompanied and separated children.”
Meanwhile, the Guinea government is currently cooperating with IOM to support the urgent return of at least 250 stranded Guinean and other Nigerian migrants hosted in transit centers all around Niger.
IOM has disclosed that in a few months, the European Union and in partnership with governmental agencies and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) partners, will support the returnees with reintegration assistance such as vocational education and training to help them start an income-generating activity of their choice for their sustainable reintegration In Nigeria.
