More Than 60,300 Nigerians Brought Back From Risky Migration Journeys — IOM
Pecohub More than 60,300 Nigerian migrants have been returned to the country since 2017 through assisted voluntary return programmes after becoming stranded along dangerous irregular migration routes.
This was disclosed by International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche, during a media engagement on Saturday in Benin City.
According to her, many of the returnees embarked on risky journeys in search of better economic opportunities abroad but later found themselves trapped along irregular migration routes where they faced exploitation, abuse and life-threatening conditions.
She explained that several migrants became stranded in transit countries across North Africa and along routes leading to Europe, where many fall victim to human trafficking networks, forced labour, detention and other forms of exploitation before being assisted back home through humanitarian programmes.
Dimanche said the organisation has helped thousands of Nigerians return home safely while providing support to help them rebuild their lives after traumatic migration experiences.
- “Across Nigeria, over 60,300 migrants have returned with IOM’s assistance since 2017, many survivors of exploitation and abuse along dangerous migration routes,” she said.
She also stressed that beyond facilitating their safe return, the agency supports migrants through reintegration programmes aimed at helping them regain stability.
- “These returns were carried out under programmes to rescue migrants trapped along irregular migration routes and support their reintegration into society.”
