The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) says over 956 Nigerians stranded in Libya have been rescued and brought back home in the first quarter of 2025.
The Chairman of NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa disclosed this in a statement.
The statement signed by NiDCOM’s Director of Information and Protocol, Abdur-Rahman Balogun indicated that the evacuation was carried out through the efforts of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI).
A breakdown of the figures shows that 683 of the returnees were females, 132 males, 87 children, and 54 infants.
The returnees were repatriated in six batches between January and March.
Statistics show that 152 Nigerians arrived on January 28, while 145, 180, and 159 were brought back on February 11, 19, and 25, respectively.
The last two batches arrived on March 4 and 18, with 144 and 176 returnees.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that, over the past few years, more than 15,000 stranded Nigerians have been evacuated from Libya through joint efforts by the Federal Government and international partners.
She, however, warned against using Libya as a migration route to Europe, describing it as a war-torn country with an unstable political climate.
“Because of the delicate situation in Libya, we continuously advise Nigerians to avoid this route, as well as other dangerous migration pathways.
“Unfortunately, some of those rescued still attempt to return through these hazardous routes,” she said.
The NiDCOM boss urged Nigerians to migrate only through legal and safe means.
She reassured that the federal government remains committed to protecting the dignity and fundamental rights of Nigerians, both at home and abroad.
Dabiri-Erewa also called for collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, the media, and other stakeholders to intensify awareness of the dangers of irregular migration.
The continuous deportation of Nigerian migrants from Libya is a disturbing reality that exposes the deep-rooted challenges of illegal migration, human trafficking, and the desperate search for better economic opportunities.
The recent waves of deportees arriving back in Nigeria highlight the grim experiences faced by thousands who embark on perilous journeys in search of greener pastures.
The Nigerian government, through agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has facilitated the repatriation of thousands of stranded Nigerians.
The plight of Nigerian deportees from Libya serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of irregular migration.
While repatriation efforts continue, a holistic approach is needed to tackle the root causes of this crisis.
A combination of economic reforms, legal enforcement against trafficking, and robust reintegration programs will go a long way in ensuring that Nigerians no longer see illegal migration as their only hope for a better future.
(Radio Nigeria/vitalnewsngr.com)
