IOM Evacuates 179 Stranded Nigerians from Sudan
- 7 hours ago
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A total of 179 Nigerian migrants stranded in Sudan have been safely evacuated and returned to Nigeria through a humanitarian operation coordinated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The returnees arrived at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano after departing from Port Sudan under the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programme supported by the European Union. Officials described the operation as the first organised repatriation of Nigerians from Sudan in 2026.
Many of the migrants had been trapped in Sudan amid the prolonged conflict that has severely disrupted daily life and limited access to food, healthcare and basic services.
Before their departure, the migrants received medical screening, psychosocial counselling, travel documentation and transportation support to ensure their return was voluntary and conducted safely.
On arrival in Nigeria, the evacuees were received by IOM officials in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons and the Nigerian Immigration Service. They were provided immediate assistance including health checks, temporary accommodation, counselling and transportation to their respective communities.
IOM officials said reintegration support will also be provided to help the returnees rebuild their lives and regain economic stability.
The evacuation was carried out with support from the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan and Sudanese immigration authorities under a broader migrant protection programme targeting vulnerable migrants in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Since the conflict in Sudan escalated, the IOM has expanded emergency assistance for stranded migrants and has helped evacuate more than 1,800 Nigerians through various voluntary return and protection programmes. The European Union remains the organisation’s largest donor supporting these interventions in Nigeria.
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