Nigerian Envoy Urges Citizens to Avoid Irregular Migration, Highlights Risks of Exploitation.

By Caroline Ameh

Nigeria’s newly-appointed Charge d’Affaires en-titre to Libya, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, has urged Nigerians to refrain from embarking on journeys to foreign lands without proper documentation.
Speaking from Tripoli, Libya on Tuesday, Ambassador Mohammed cautioned that such undocumented migrations often lead to instances of slavery and sexual exploitation, particularly in Europe.

During the repatriation of 122 stranded Nigerians in Libya, Ambassador Mohammed emphasized the perils associated with irregular migration, urging citizens to carefully consider the risks before undertaking such journeys across the desert.

The repatriated individuals, consisting of 52 males, 39 females (including 7 victims of human trafficking), 21 children, and 10 infants, were airlifted from Mitiga International Airport aboard chartered flight No. UZ 189 at approximately 1:30 pm local time.

Expressing gratitude to Libyan authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ambassador Mohammed acknowledged their collaborative efforts in facilitating the release of Nigerian migrants from detention facilities and aiding in their repatriation to Nigeria.

Upon their arrival at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos at 5:00 pm Nigerian time, the evacuees were to be handed over to appropriate government agencies for reunification with their families.

Tuesday’s evacuation marked the ninth repatriation mission conducted by the Nigerian Mission in Libya this year, in coordination with the IOM’s Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) program.

These efforts align with the 4-D foreign policy agenda of the Tinubu Administration, as directed by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

Reflecting on past initiatives, it was noted that in 2023, a total of 2,041 stranded Nigerian migrants were assisted in returning home by the IOM, while approximately 1,350 individuals have been safely repatriated within the current year alone.

These endeavors underscore Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad and addressing the challenges posed by irregular migration.