A total of 198 Nigerians that were hitherto stranded in Lebanon have regained their freedom and have returned home. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development along with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received the returnees on Wednesday 12thand Thursday 13thAugust, 2020.
This was made known by the Honourable Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq. According to her ‘’There are about 5000 Nigerian girls stranded in Lebanon who have been lured there for domestic servitude out of which the Nigerian Embassy has completed documentation of 256 that are willing to return home.The Ministry and relevant Agencies under its supervision remain committed to ensuring the safe return of Nigerians stranded in Lebanon and other Countries’’. The Minister added that distress calls have been received from Nigerian girls stranded in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt and other parts of the Middle East.
Sadiya Umar Farouq called on Nigerians especially the young ones to refrain from allowing themselves to be enticed and lured to indignity through promises of a better life rather they should take advantage of the various interventions Government has put in place to aid them in making the best of their lives within the shores of Nigeria adding that there is no place like home.
She commended the effort of stakeholders like the Oyo State Government, IOM and the Lebanese community in Nigeria for supporting the safe return of our dear citizens.
The returnees will be profiled and provided with psychological support by NAPTIP.
Signed
Halima Oyelade
SA, Strategic Communications
14th August, 2020
