Major Repatriation: 158 Nigerians Returned from Libya Amid Rising Migration Challenges

• Nigerian authorities successfully repatriated 158 Nigerians from Libya as part of the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) program, marking the twelfth repatriation of the year.
• The group included 77 men, 45 women, 26 children, and 10 infants. Issues leading to their repatriation included lack of documentation and criminal accusations. They arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and will undergo rehabilitation and reintegration.
• This operation follows increasing raids and legal issues faced by Nigerians in Libya. The repatriation efforts are part of a broader strategy to address irregular migration and support returnees through partnerships with Libyan authorities and IOM.

Major Repatriation: 158 Nigerians Returned from Libya Amid Rising Migration Challenges

Tripoli, 23 July 2024 – In a significant move to address irregular migration, Nigerian authorities have repatriated 158 Nigerians from Libya.

Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian Mission in Tripoli, announced the successful operation. This repatriation, part of the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) program, involved close collaboration between the Nigerian Mission, Libyan authorities, and IOM.

The group departed from Mitiga International Airport on chartered flight UZ 189 at 3:00 PM local time. They landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 6:00 PM.

The returnees include 77 men, 45 women, 26 children, and 10 infants. They were repatriated due to issues such as lack of documentation and various criminal accusations.

Among the returnees, 26 men were recently released from the Abu-Salim Detention Centre in Tripoli. Upon arrival in Nigeria, they were greeted by NAPTIP, Nigerian Immigration Service, Airport Security, and the NDLEA. They will undergo rehabilitation and reintegration programs before returning to society.

So far in 2024, nearly 1,776 Nigerians have been repatriated. The latest operation marks the twelfth repatriation this year.

Ambassador Mohammed urged Nigerians to avoid irregular migration and praised the joint efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Libyan authorities, and IOM.

He said:

“This marks the twelfth evacuation exercise carried out by the Nigerian Mission in Libya this year. The current exercise follows the repatriation of 142 Nigerians from Sabha, Libya, on 9 July.”

“Some were rescued by Libyan Coastal Guards from the Mediterranean Sea, while others faced legal issues or willingly sought repatriation. With increasing raids on illegal migrants, these operations are likely to continue.”

Nigerians in Libya face reputational damage due to criminal activities among some individuals. This has led to ongoing arrests and deportations.

The the Nigerian Envoy continued saying;

“While some of them were rescued from the Mediterranean Sea by the Libyan Coastal Guards, others were arrested on charges of prostitution, illegally entering the country, over stay and lack of proper documentation, just as others willingly submitted themselves to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya for repatriation.

“You know, lately, there have been increasing and coordinated raids of illegal migrants across the cities of Libya and these are likely going to continue as Libyan authorities consider influx of illegal migrants in the country a National Security issue and have vowed to employ all legal means to stop the menace.

“Nigerians living in Libya, from many indications, already have damaged reputations due to the alleged nefarious activities of some criminal elements among them. Some have been fingered in the commitment of crimes such as kidnapping for ransom, drug peddling, prostitution, sale of alcohol as well as cultism and human trafficking with their Libyan collaborators, among others .

“It is, therefore ,as a result of the above that, arrest and deportation of Nigerians may continue in the weeks and months ahead,”.

On 17 July 2024, Libya hosted the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum in Tripoli, discussing solutions to irregular migration.

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The VHR program ensures the safe return of migrants who choose to go home. The Nigerian government’s ongoing partnership with IOM continues to facilitate the return of irregular migrants.