In a remarkable display of government effort, almost 1,000 Nigerians have been rescued from the perilous conditions of Libyan detention centers in just the first quarter of 2025. This figure adds to the growing number of Nigerians who have been safely repatriated from Libya in recent years, with more than 15,000 Nigerians having been rescued in the past few years.
The Nigerian government, through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, has been working tirelessly to bring back Nigerians who fall victim to human trafficking, exploitation, and abuse while attempting to migrate through dangerous and irregular routes, particularly through Libya.
The most recent rescue operation, which took place between January and March 2025, saw 956 Nigerians airlifted from Libya. This operation, which occurred in six batches, included 683 females, 132 males, 87 children, and 54 infants. The first of these airlifts took place on January 28, followed by others on February 11, 19, 25, and March 4 and 18. The largest batch of returnees, 176 people, was rescued on March 18, 2025.
The Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, highlighted the importance of the continued repatriation efforts, highlighting the risks faced by Nigerians who attempt to migrate illegally through Libya. She urged Nigerians to avoid such dangerous migration routes and to explore legal and safe avenues for migration.
“This is a continued effort to bring our citizens back home from the harsh conditions of Libyan detention centers. We cannot exaggerate the dangers that await those who attempt to cross through Libya to Europe. We have been warning Nigerians for years about the dangers of these irregular routes. Libya is a risky and unsafe pathway to Europe, and it is not worth it,” Dabiri-Erewa said in a press statement.
The repatriation of over 15,000 Nigerians from Libya highlights the persistent problem of irregular migration, where people, often lured by the promise of a better life in Europe, resort to unsafe routes to reach their destinations. Libya, being a key transit country, has become a notorious hotspot for migrants, where they often face abuse, exploitation, and in some cases, imprisonment under harsh conditions.
The Nigerian government’s intervention in the repatriation process has been critical in saving lives and providing much-needed assistance to vulnerable citizens. However, the reality remains that many of those who have been rescued attempt to make the same dangerous journey again. This has raised alarms about the need for more robust awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians about the risks involved in irregular migration.
In addition to the physical toll of these journeys, many returnees are left with psychological and emotional scars. Many of the rescued individuals have reported facing terrible hardships in detention centers in Libya, including physical abuse, lack of food and water, and a constant state of fear. Some have even been sold as slaves or forced to work under inhumane conditions by traffickers.
The Nigerian government and international agencies have worked to provide these returnees with essential support upon their arrival, including medical care, legal aid, and counseling. NiDCOM, in partnership with IOM and other agencies, is focused on ensuring that these returnees are reintegrated into society successfully, with various empowerment programs and assistance available to them.
However, despite these efforts, Dabiri-Erewa expressed concerns about the alarming trend of some returnees attempting to make the perilous journey again after being rescued.
“This is a troubling trend. Some of the returnees, after being rescued, still feel the need to try again to migrate illegally. This shows how desperate the situation is for some of these people, but we cannot allow them to put their lives at risk again,” she explained.
The dangers of irregular migration, especially to Libya, have been well-documented. Libya has experienced political instability and conflict for years, and the lack of a strong central government means that there are limited protections for migrants passing through the country. Many Nigerians who attempt to transit through Libya in hopes of reaching Europe end up trapped in detention centers, subjected to abuse, or sold to human traffickers.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated the Nigerian government’s firm stance on promoting safe and legal migration pathways, emphasizing that there are better alternatives for those seeking a better life abroad.
“We strongly encourage Nigerians to explore legal migration options, whether it’s through education, employment, or other lawful means. We need to continue our efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of irregular migration, and we call on all stakeholders, including the media, to join us in spreading the message,” she said.
She also called for increased collaboration among government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the media to intensify efforts in educating Nigerians about the perils of illegal migration and the importance of making informed decisions about their future.
The continuous effort to rescue Nigerians from Libya comes as part of the broader global migration crisis, where thousands of people from various countries face similar dangers in their quest for better lives. While the Nigerian government has been proactive in bringing back those stranded in Libya, the challenge of tackling the root causes of irregular migration, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunities, remains.
For many Nigerians, the desire to migrate illegally to Europe is driven by economic hardship and a desire for a better future. However, as the recent evacuations show, the journey is often fraught with danger, and many end up paying the ultimate price.
As Nigeria continues its efforts to address this crisis, there is hope that the lessons learned from the ongoing evacuation efforts will encourage more Nigerians to consider safer, more sustainable pathways for migration.
The Federal Government, through NiDCOM and its partners, remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians are informed, protected, and given the opportunity to thrive both at home and abroad.
