The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has repatriated another batch of 143 Nigerians stranded in Niamey (Niger Republic).

The NEMA Coordinator, Kano Territorial Office, Dr. Nurudeen Abdullahi, made the disclosure while receiving the returnees at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

He explained that, they were repatriated to Nigeria from Niamey, under the care of the International Organisation for Migration(IOM) through a voluntary repatriation programme.

Dr. Nurudeen stressed that, the programme was meant for distressed Nigerians, who had left the country to seek greener pastures in various European countries, and could not afford to return when their journey was aborted midway.

“the returnees arrived aboard SKY MALI Airlines, operated by Ethiopian airline B737-400 with registration number UR-CQX at about 2:35 p.m”

The coordinator pointed out that, the returnees comprised 93 male, 22 females and 28 children from Adamawa, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, Lagos, Enugu and Edo State among others.

He maintained that, they would undergo a three-day training programme on how to achieve self-sustainability, and would be provided with seed capitals to enable to become self reliant.

Dr. Nurudeen advised the public to avoid endangering their lives, by travelling to seek for greener pastures in other countries, adding that no country was better than Nigeria.

Meanwhile, representatives from SEMA, NEMA, Nigeria Red Cross, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, NSCDC among others, were on ground to receive the returnees.

Radio Nigeria reports that, the agency had on May 9, received 148 Nigerians stranded in Niamey.