Eighty irregular Nigerian migrants have been successfully returned home from Libya. The repatriation exercise was carried out by Libya’s national Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM) in cooperation with the Nigerian Consulate in Tripoli.
The migrants were flown out of Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli. This mass deportation followed the issuance of official judicial deportation orders by the Libyan Judicial Police.
Coordinated Departure and Detention
The individuals had been held in various detention facilities across Libya. They were transferred under security escort to the airport for their flight back to Nigeria.
An organization that monitors migrant rights and welfare in Libya reported that this action is part of ongoing efforts. Libyan authorities and foreign diplomatic missions are working to manage the flow of irregular migration. Their goal is also to decongest the numerous holding centers.
The repatriation process required close coordination with Nigerian consular representatives. This was done to ensure that the returnees received appropriate travel documents and necessary consular support before their departure.
Libya: A Critical Transit Hub
The 80 Nigerians are part of a much larger group of African migrants. These individuals have been detained in Libya for attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe via unauthorized routes.
Libya continues to be recognized as one of the primary transit hubs for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. These travelers are seeking to reach Europe, often fleeing economic hardship or conflict.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly voiced concerns over the conditions within Libya’s detention centers. They cite issues like overcrowding, poor sanitation, and documented abuse of migrants.
These groups urge both African and European governments to take action. They advocate for strengthening safe, legal migration channels and tackling the underlying root causes of irregular migration, such as poverty and instability.
