The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received 100 Nigerian returnees from Algeria under the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) Programme.
The returnees arrived at about 1:05 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, aboard an Air Algerie flight with registration number 7T-VJU, which landed at the Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The reception exercise was conducted by NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) coordinating the return process in collaboration with the Federal Government.
The 100 returnees comprised 96 adults and four children. The adult group included 88 males and eight females, while the children comprised one male and three females.
Following their arrival, officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) carried out biometric registration and documentation of the returnees.
The exercise, according to the agencies, was aimed at ensuring proper identification, documentation and record-keeping, while also supporting the returnees’ reintegration into their respective communities.
NEMA said the registration process was an important part of the reception exercise as it would facilitate the proper documentation of the returnees and support subsequent reintegration efforts.
The returnees were also provided with immediate humanitarian assistance upon arrival, including food and potable water to meet their immediate needs.
Medical screening was conducted for the returnees, while ambulance services were made available for those requiring further medical attention.
Other forms of assistance provided during the reception included luggage handling and logistical support to ease the returnees’ movement following their arrival in Nigeria.
Counselling and reintegration support were also provided as part of efforts to ensure that the returnees were safely received and assisted as they prepared to return to their respective communities.
The agencies involved in the exercise emphasised the importance of coordinated support in facilitating the safe return and reintegration of Nigerians returning from abroad.
The Assisted Voluntary Return programme provides a structured process for migrants returning to their countries of origin, with support designed to facilitate their safe return and reintegration.
The October 6 reception is part of ongoing efforts involving the Federal Government and international partners to provide assistance to Nigerian returnees and ensure that their immediate humanitarian and reintegration needs are addressed.
NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office, NCFRMI, NIS and IOM worked together during the exercise to ensure that the returnees received the necessary documentation, humanitarian assistance and support upon arrival.
The reception exercise was successfully concluded, with the relevant government agencies providing the necessary assistance and support to the 100 returnees.
The coordinated approach also provided an opportunity for the returnees to undergo the required immigration procedures, receive immediate welfare assistance and access support aimed at facilitating their reintegration into their communities.