NEMA Receives 708 Stranded Nigerians Evacuated from Republic of Niger Following Targeted Violence and Economic Hardship

NEMA receives 708 stranded Nigerians from Niamey. Returnees report house burnings and violence in Niger. Government provides aid and transport to home states.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 5:35 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Newsdiaryonline

Repatriation of Stranded Citizens from Niamey

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has successfully facilitated the return of 708 citizens who were stranded in the Republic of Niger. The returnees arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano at approximately 4:08 pm on Monday, March 23, 2026. Transported in 12 luxury buses, the group is currently undergoing profiling and physical verification by a multi-agency task force. This evacuation marks a significant "whole-of-government" effort to protect Nigerians affected by regional instability and declining economic conditions in the Sahel.

Demographics and State of Origin

The 708 returnees represent a diverse cross-section of northern and north-central Nigeria. The group is composed of 292 males (including adults and children) and 416 females. Specifically, the individuals hail from Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Benue, Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kogi, and Niger states. According to Dr. Nura Abdullahi, NEMA’s Head of Operations in Kano, the returnees appeared distressed and unkempt upon arrival, reflecting the harsh conditions they faced prior to their evacuation from Niamey.

Accounts of Violence and Targeted Attacks

Testimonies from the returnees suggest a deteriorating security situation for Nigerians living in Niger. Malam Kamalu Abdullahi, a resident of Niamey for 12 years, recounted a harrowing experience where his home and the residences of other Nigerians were allegedly set on fire. He described being attacked and told to leave the country, a stark shift from the long-standing communal relations between the two nations. These accounts highlight the growing risks faced by the Nigerian diaspora in the region, prompting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Niamey to prioritize voluntary repatriation.