80 Nigerians repatriated from Saudi Arabia.

80 Nigerians repatriated from Saudi Arabia arrived at the Nnamid Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Wednesday in an Ethiopian Airline plane at about noon.

Mr Daniel Obot, the Assistant Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), told newsmen at the Airport that the deportees were part of the 508 Nigerians residing illegally in Saudi Arabia.

He said the Federal Government approved their repatriation after they voluntarily agreed to return home, adding that they would be handed over to officials of their State Emergency Management Agency after due clearance.

The 80 deportees are said to be from eight states of the country.

31 from Kano State, 19 from Borno, three from Bauchi State, eight from Jigawa, seven from Yobe, two from Plateau, nine from Katsina State and one from Nasarawa State.

The deportees were mainly women, children and the sick.

More deportees are expected to arrive in the country on Thursday.
The deportees indicated their interest to return to Nigeria following a November deadline issued by the Saudi Authorities for all illegal immigrants to leave the country.

951 other Nigerians arrested by the Saudi authorities were being held in a camp in the country, and that they would return home at the instance of the Saudi government.