By Fatima Saka
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abuja Operations Office (AOO), on Monday coordinated the reception of 37 Nigerian returnees from the Republic of Türkiye at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The returnees arrived aboard a chartered flight following prior notification from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safe and orderly return of Nigerian citizens abroad.
NEMA said it activated a multi-agency reception framework in line with its statutory mandate, bringing together key government bodies and humanitarian partners to ensure a seamless, dignified, and humane process for the returnees.
The reception exercise involved documentation and profiling, medical screening, and the provision of immediate humanitarian support before the returnees were handed over to relevant authorities for further reintegration.
Speaking during the exercise, the Head of NEMA Abuja Operations Office, Pharm. Zakari Abubakar, reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of vulnerable Nigerians.
“At NEMA, our priority is to ensure that every returning Nigerian is treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. We encourage them to take advantage of available government support programmes to rebuild their lives,” he said.
Abubakar also commended the collaboration among participating agencies, noting that inter-agency cooperation remains vital to the success of reception and reintegration efforts.
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Agencies involved in the exercise included the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), officials of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, airport authorities, and security agencies.
The reception underscores the Federal Government’s continued commitment to managing migration and supporting the reintegration of returning citizens.
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