A total of 179 stranded Nigerian migrants have safely returned home from war-torn Sudan, thanks to an assisted voluntary evacuation organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Elijah Elaigwu, Senior Communication Assistant at IOM, announced the development in a statement released to the journalists on Thursday.
The returnees landed at Kano’s Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Tuesday, having departed from Port Sudan under the European Union-backed Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme.
According to Elaigwu, this marks the first organised repatriation of Nigerian migrants from Sudan in 2026, increasing the total number of IOM-assisted flights since 2025 to four.
Many of the returnees endured harrowing days trapped in the ongoing Sudanese conflict, facing severe food shortages, a desperate lack of healthcare, and constant fear amid escalating protection risks.
“These are people who have lived through months of fear and uncertainty, unsure of when or how they would make it home,” said Refaat Mohamed, IOM Chief of Mission in Port Sudan.
“Getting them back safely is not just about transport. It’s about restoring hope, dignity, and a sense of humanity to people whose lives were upended by conflict.”
Elaigwu explained that, prior to departure, IOM provided medical screening, psychosocial support, travel documents, and transportation to ensure the return process was voluntary, safe, and dignified.
He added that the EU also emphasised the importance of protecting migrants caught up in conflict situations.
“This return is about restoring a sense of safety and control to people whose lives were disrupted by the crisis,” said Gautier Mignot, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria.
He maintained that the European Union believes no one should be left stranded without options, especially in conflict situations.
He noted that the reception was organised in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and other partners.
Immediate assistance provided to the returnees included health checks, psychosocial support, temporary accommodation, and onward transportation to their communities.
Sharon Dimanche, IOM Chief of Mission to Nigeria, stated that reintegration support would help the returnees rebuild their lives.
“Coming home is only the first step,” Dimanche emphasised. “What follows—helping people regain their footing, rebuild their lives, and move forward with dignity and hope—is where reintegration truly begins.”
Elaigwu also noted that the operation was carried out in coordination with the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan and Sudanese Passport and Immigration authorities, as part of the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA).
He added that since the Sudan crisis began in 2023, IOM has assisted more than 1,800 Nigerians with emergency evacuations, protection services, and voluntary return programmes. The European Union continues to be IOM Nigeria’s largest donor, supporting both immediate interventions and long-term reintegration for vulnerable migrants nationwide.