497 Stranded Nigerians Return to Kano from Niger Republic

On May 22, 2026, a total of 497 stranded Nigerians arrived at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport from Agadez, Niger Republic. This evacuation was part of a humanitarian return program coordinated by the federal government in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Dr. Tijjani Aliyu, the Federal Commission Commissioner, and Lubah Liman, the IOM Kano Field Coordinator, oversaw the reception of the returnees. The operation was executed in two batches, with the first batch comprising 600 returnees.

The breakdown of the returnees included 174 adult males, 97 adult females, 137 male children, and 89 female children. The returnees shared their experiences of hardship while stranded in Agadez and appealed for support from the federal and state governments, as well as humanitarian organizations, to aid their reintegration into society.

The reception exercise involved various agencies, including NAPTIP, NEMA, Nigeria Immigration Service, NSCDC, NDLEA, DSS, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.