164 Nigerian Migrants Repatriated from Libya Amidst Warnings of Irregular Migration Risks
By Caroline Ameh
In a coordinated effort led by the Nigerian Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Libyan authorities, a total of 164 irregular Nigerian migrants were repatriated from Libya on Tuesday.
The repatriation operation targeted detainees held in Libyan detention centers for various offenses, including illegal entry, overstay, and lack of proper documentation.
The group, comprising 38 men, 120 women, 4 children, and 2 infants, arrived at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos aboard a chartered flight (UZ 189) on the same day they departed from Libya.
This marks the 10th repatriation mission undertaken by the Nigerian Embassy in Libya this year as part of the IOM’s Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) program.
Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, the Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, emphasized the dangers of irregular migration, cautioning against deceptive promises of a better life in Europe or elsewhere.
“Life may appear rosy on the other side. But we must understand that not all that glitters is gold,” Ambassador Mohammed stated.
He urged Nigerians to carefully evaluate the risks before embarking on perilous journeys through the desert and across the Mediterranean Sea, citing numerous cases of exploitation and loss of life.
The VHR program aims to provide safe and dignified returns for willing migrants to their home countries, underscoring the collaborative efforts between the Nigerian Embassy, Libyan authorities, and international partners to mitigate the risks associated with irregular migration.
