The Federal Government has received 103 Nigerians who were deported from Turkey due to issues like expired visas and irregular migration.

This was announced by Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, during the profiling of the deportees in Abuja on Friday evening.

Represented by the Director of Migration Affairs at the commission, Amb. Catherine Udida, Ahmed said, “While we were expecting 110 deportees, we received 103, all of whom are male.”

He added, “Some of them have been in the deportation camp for months. Now that they are here, we will follow up on all the allegations gathered during their profiling.”

Ahmed emphasized that they would investigate claims that some deportees’ passports were seized, noting, “The passports remain the property of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Ahmed reiterated, “NCFRMI is mandated to handle all returnees, regardless of their status. We also have a program where we train them and then reintegrate them into society.”

The North-Central Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Bashir Garga, assured the returnees of the government’s support through collaborative efforts with relevant agencies.

One of the deportees, Mr. Arinze Stone, shared his experience, saying he had been detained in a Turkish camp for about six months. Stone, who had been living in Turkey for several years conducting business, claimed that the Turkish authorities were arresting people whose documents were either not yet issued or had just expired.

Stone alleged, “Each day, the European Union pays 120 Euros per immigrant in the Immigration Camp.” He added, “Despite paying 700 Euros for tax and insurance, my renewal was canceled, and I was not given the deportation fee of about 2,500 Euros.”

Another deportee, Mr. Moses Emeh, shared his experience, stating that his registered company in Turkey had been functioning for over eight years. He mentioned, “My resident permit was forcibly canceled despite my plans to convert it into a working permit. I believe this is a diplomatic issue, and I trust our foreign affairs minister to follow it up. There should also be a sensitization program for Nigerians still in Turkey because the Turkish government is not being sincere and transparent with us.”

Emeh detailed that he was detained in a dungeon for nearly 12 months and was coerced into signing deportation documents under the threat of prolonged detention.

The returnees were provided with dignity kits, starter packs, and stipends to assist them in traveling to their respective destinations.