The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has announced that it is investigating the case of Nigerians potentially stranded in Libya.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by the Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit at NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the commission stated: “The attention of the Management of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has once again been drawn to another viral video showing some Nigerians stranded in Libya and calling for help to be evacuated back home.”
NIDCOM noted that while the video would be reviewed, this is not the first time such an incident has occurred.
“It is worth noting that over 10,000 Nigerians were evacuated from Libya a few years ago, based on a memo by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, approved by the then President, and a coalition of a multi-agency team set up to evacuate all Nigerians stranded in Libya,” the statement continued.
The Commission expressed disappointment that warnings about the dangers of traveling to Libya have been consistently ignored: “For the umpteenth time, there was a clear warning by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa to Nigerians to desist from that dangerous path. But the warning was not yielded to.”
Despite these warnings, many Nigerians have continued to return to Libya, only to find themselves stranded once more.
The statement highlighted the role of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), saying: “In the last couple of months, more Nigerians have been brought back from Libya, thanks to the efforts of the International Organisation for Migration in Nigeria, which has been regularly evacuating Nigerians stranded in Libya back home.”
However, NIDCOM pointed out the persistence of this issue, adding: “Sadly, many Nigerians continue to return to Libya and find themselves stranded again.”
Efforts to rescue stranded Nigerians are ongoing, with NIDCOM stating: “The Commission has brought the video to the attention of the office of the National Security Adviser, who heads the multi-agency evacuation team, as well as the International Organisation for Migration, who has also rescued thousands stranded.”
The IOM and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons have evacuated 2,467 Nigerians from Libya in 15 flights between January and September 2024.
NaijaTimesUSA has recently reported a case of 171 Stranded Nigerians Repatriated from Libya late last month.
NEMA also reported its collaboration with other stakeholders in mid-August which received 149 returnees from the Niger Republic.
The statement concluded with a stern reminder: “Deadly pathways to migration must be avoided, and traffickers who trafficked these victims need to be arrested, named, and shamed.”
