The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has deported four hundred Nigerians back to their home country.
The deportation includes 90 female and 310 male returnees.
The deported Nigerians arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 7:00 PM on Friday.
They were received by officials from the National Security Adviser’s office, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
This latest deportation follows a series of similar incidents involving Nigerian citizens.
Recently, 103 Nigerians were deported from Turkey and received by NEMA and other stakeholders.
In another instance, 264 Nigerian passengers were informed of their visa cancellations upon arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 13, 2023.
In light of the deportations, the Nigerian Federal Government has urged citizens to remain calm. Officials are working to address the situation and ensure the welfare of the returnees.
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons was actively involved in receiving the returnees.
Katherine Udida, Director of Migration Affairs at the Commission, explained that the return was facilitated in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Udida assured that the Commission is providing psychosocial support and a reintegration program for the returnees.
“We are working with relevant agencies and the UAE government to investigate cases of maltreatment and unjust deportation,” she said.
Among the returnees, Harrison Amaoguo shared his distressing experience. He claimed he was unjustly deported, with his valuables seized.
“I don’t know what my offense was. I was stopped, questioned, and then taken away. No one told me why,” Amaoguo said.
Amaoguo also criticized the Nigerian Consulate in Dubai, urging the government to use diplomatic channels to protect its citizens.
“The Consulate should not just take things at face value. They should ask questions and seek clarity for their people,” he added.
The deported group consists of 90 adult females and 310 adult males.
