A group of 103 Nigerians, who claim to have been detained for over 11 months, were deported from Turkey and arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday, June 28. They touched down at 6:45 pm aboard a Southwind Airlines flight, bearing the registration TC-GRB, according to a report from The Punch.
The specific reasons for their deportation remain unclear at this time. Upon arrival, they were received by multiple government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), and the military at the airport’s pilgrims’ wing.
The returnees have expressed their dissatisfaction, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to address what they describe as unfair treatment by the Turkish authorities. They allege that they were arbitrarily arrested and placed in deportation camps without valid reasons, as reported by Channels Television. The deportees are also calling on the Nigerian government to assist in retrieving their seized belongings.
This incident has sparked significant discussion on social media, with many expressing sympathy and concern for the deported individuals. A similar case was highlighted by Morris Monye on the social media platform X, where a Nigerian worker in the diaspora was deported after a misunderstanding with a colleague at work. This story has drawn attention to the challenges faced by Nigerians abroad, leading to vigorous debate among netizens.