The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has taken custody of six Nigerians who arrived from the United States at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The agency announced their arrival in a statement published on its X handle on Sunday, noting that the group landed at the airport’s Cargo Terminal on November 4, 2026.
According to NEMA, the returnees arrived at about 10:13 p.m. aboard a Beechcraft 1900 aircraft with registration number N62FF. They comprised five men and one woman, all adults.
The reception was organised by NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office in partnership with the United States Consulate, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigeria Immigration Service and ExecuJet.
NEMA said immigration officials carried out the required documentation and profiling to establish the identities of the returnees and ensure a smooth arrival process.
“The returnees arrived at approximately 10:13 p.m. aboard a Beechcraft 1900 aircraft with registration number N62FF. The group comprised five males and one female, all adults.
Upon arrival, officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service conducted the necessary immigration documentation and profiling to ensure proper identification, record-keeping and a smooth arrival process.
READ ALSO: South Africa Hands Six Nigerians To US Over Alleged Romance Fraud
NEMA coordinated the reception in collaboration with the relevant agencies, while necessary reception and post-arrival support services were provided to facilitate the returnees’ transition following their arrival in the country,” the statement said.
However, the agency did not disclose whether the six Nigerians were deported by American authorities or chose to return voluntarily.
Their arrival comes amid tighter immigration enforcement under United States President Donald Trump, whose administration has stepped up efforts to remove individuals without legal immigration status and prioritise cases involving criminal records.
The measures include initiatives such as the “worst of the worst” lists and West Africa Operations Watch.
Nigeria has featured in the enforcement drive, with the US Department of Homeland Security releasing several lists of Nigerian nationals marked for deportation in 2026. Some of the cases were linked to alleged fraud and other immigration or legal violations.
NEMA said the reception exercise demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerians returning from abroad receive safe, coordinated and dignified assistance.
It added that the process involved cooperation among relevant government institutions and international partners to support citizens arriving in the country.