The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Libya

  • We saw hell in Libya, returnees relive ordeals

    We saw hell in Libya, returnees relive ordeals

    A Libyan held many of us on the road and diverted and enslaved us with a condition that we must pay ransom to become free.”

    Responding to a question, Eluor said: “I was doing car wash (Lawaji) to earn cash to pay for my freedom.  After I paid the money, they pushed me and others out. I later came to Tripoli again for jobs to save money to go to Italy but they caught me and I was put in detention.”

    John Anita is from Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. He chose to go to Italy after the death of his father.

    His words: “I didn’t want to suffer after my father died. It was painful bearing his loss because the vacuum was too big to fill. I became desperate for a quick alternative to survive.

    “I was able to make N250, 000 to pay an agent. I traveled from Benin to Abuja, Kano and Tripoli. But, I was caught on the way.”

    Without feeling remorseful, Ziko Ekpeye, 30, from Bayelsa simply said: “I found my way to make life better. I have spent two years looking for money to be able to take care of my three kids.”

    Mother luck was not just on the side of Tina Peters. The Benin, Edo State-born Tina said: “Everything was hard, that is why I came here. I was able to cross the desert to Sabha and Tripoli. But, I was caught on top of the sea. It was painful because I planned the trip to take care of my only brother and three younger ones. I have lost my parents and I wanted to help my family.”

    Ojiase Kevin, 30, who was an artisan in Nigeria, also ran out of luck on the sea.

    He said: “I can make good furniture like those ones they used to bring from Europe but I had no patronage. I wanted to go to Europe to go and learn more. I have spent two years in Libya. I spent six months in Tripoli and one year and four months in Siburata (Sabratha).

    I was not lucky to go Italy. I crossed over to the sea on October 1, 2016 but they caught me on top of the boat. I made another attempt and crossed the sea again on October 1, 2017 but the engine spoilt.

    “I was on the sea near Tunis when the engine spoilt. I spent one hour to enter No Man’s Land but I nearly almost died. It was God who rescued me. We were 142 loaded in the boat which later broke down.”

    Asked of the next move, he said: “I can never come to Libya again, I don’t know Libya and I don’t want to know Libya. They have killed two of my friends. They were shot while escaping. They arrested me and put me in prison, I spent three months without daylight.  Libyans are very wicked and desperate. The Bible says the heart of man is desperately wicked. They hate blacks and treat blacks like animals. They used to arrest blacks and sell them into slavery because of money.”

    Moses Testimony, born in 1985 in Edo State said: “I was sold into slavery in Libya by one Madam Joy who I can identify. I gave her N300, 000 but when I got to Sabha, I discovered that she didn’t pay the agent.

    The agent kidnapped me after serious beating. The Libyan asked me to pay N400, 000 for freedom. The person that rescued me in Sabha was Ben who is an Ishan.  It was my sister and mother that raised N400, 000 to secure my freedom.

    “I did not come to stay in Libya. From Benin, I was traveling to Italy. I am just happy to be back.”

    Blessing Sunday from Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State looked younger than his age.  Sunday, who was born on September 15, 1992 said: “I fell into this trap because I was looking for money to raise my family. We are ten in number. We have lost our dad and we were left with only our mum to take care of the family. The responsibility was much; I couldn’t finish my secondary education. I haven’t stayed up to a year in Libya. Actually, I was arrested on arrival and put in detention centres between March 2016 and last year in Tajoura camp.”

    Drawing much sympathy was Carol Wisdom, who put to bed at Tajoura Detention Centre in Tripoli on December 27, 2017. She was impregnated by a fellow migrant, simply called Wisdom, who has managed to cross by sea to Italy. She said: “I am a stylist from Auchi (Etsako West). I came to hustle, I dey go Italy but I could not make it. I stayed in Siburata (Sabratha). I have spent one year and four months in Libya. I was impregnated by Wisdom who don cross to Italy. I decided to name my baby Testimony because of the hassles I went through. God just gave me a second chance to live.”

    As for Maryam M. Musa from Paiko in Niger State, she admitted, she was a product of bitter divorce. Close to tears, she said: “My parents divorced in 2003 because my mother had twins. I came to Libya in the last eight months to work as a housemaid. I came on my own.”

    Pressed further, she added: “I was staying Ganapoli but luck ran against me one day when I went out to buy biscuits. I was caught and thrown into detention centre in Tajoura.”

    Happy Sunday, who was crying inconsolable and holding on to Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said: “Libya symbolises suffering.”

    When her name was missing from the list of the first batch, she rolled on the floor and said: “Tell President Buhari to help me, I don’t want to stay in Libyan detention centre anymore; I have seen many people dying, it is a hell coming to Libya.”

    Steven Okwudiba Junior said he regretted coming to Libya despite the fact that he has spent one year in the Arab territory.

    He said: “My destination was Europe. I didn’t get to the sea. I was working in Siburata (Sabratha) to save for my trip to Europe but I was arrested when I was going to work.

    “I have since then had unpleasant experience in the hands of Libyans. They are horrible set of human beings. This is a city where everyone understands the language of the guns. Their money is easy to pick up and easy to burn.”

  • Evacuation of Nigerians from Libya: The facts, challenges, realities

    Evacuation of Nigerians from Libya: The facts, challenges, realities

    On January 7, the Federal Government’s fact-finding delegation began the evacuation of over 5,000 trapped Nigerians in Libya. NORTHERN OPERATION MANAGING EDITOR YUSUF ALLI, who was in Tripoli, reports the details of the exercise and the countenances of the returnees before their departure.

    For five days, Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama was in Libya. He led a Federal Government’s fact-finding team to the North African country on a rescue mission for the over 40,000 Nigerians who were trapped in the Arab country. The Nigerians were mostly in Tripoli, Sabha (the deadly entry point to Libya and transit track to Europe); Benghazi and Misrata.

    It was a diplomatic shuttle with a difference, being the first time the Federal Government decided to confront the hydra-headed migrant challenge headlong.

    Hitherto, the Federal Government had collaborated with the International Organization for Migrants (IOM) for isolated evacuation of Nigerians from Libya.

    To underscore its seriousness, the government raised a team comprising Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs & the Diaspora,  Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa;  Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mohammed Babadende; Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja, Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Julie Okah Donli; Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons,  Hajiya Saddiya Umar Farouq; a representative of the National Security Adviser, Mr. Abba Ibrahim;  Director-General National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

    Besides the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who were on the entourage, a technical team, including the Head of Chancery and staff of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Libya, took part in the arrangement.

    The Onyeama-led delegation, which has NEMA as its coordination centre, had a clear mandate. It was fact-finding and possible negotiation with relevant authorities

    Its primary assignment was to liaise with the IOM for the identification of camps and all the groups needed to negotiate the release of Nigerians and to negotiate with all groups that have in custody Nigerians and ensure their release in safe and dignified manner.

    A knotty shuttle

    On the surface, the mission to Libya looked simple and achievable. But, it has been a marathon, emotional-laden and a knotty technical shuttle for members of the delegation, who have been working round the clock to carry out the mandate given to them by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The teams’ initial hurdles include: the high number of illegal Nigerians in Libya who are not captured under any guise; the deliberate refusal of the migrants to relate with Nigerian Embassy in Tripoli for useful data;  the  existence of many slavery, trafficking and prostitution cartels and  syndicates under the control of Nigerian ringleaders and Libyan accomplices; the unfavourable geography of Libya; the internecine wars in the Arab nation between the central government and some militia/rebels and the huge budget implication.

    Although the Federal Government gave a 37-day deadline to the delegation, the project may take many months to achieve. It is however better late than never for the Federal Government which has laid a foundation for a sustainable migrant policy for the future.

    The NEMA’s director-general was undaunted on the task as he said: “We are working round the clock to ensure the success of the first phase of this exercise. This will serve as a template for the future.

    “We already have a technical team on ground to work with the Nigerian Embassy in Libya on how to identify these Nigerians and the modalities of returning them home. We should be hopeful that this exercise will succeed.”

    Gains of the fact-finding mission

    The mission to Libya is an eye-opener for the Federal Government, which has discovered among others: an incontestable fact that more Nigerians were trapped than estimated; the complicated nature of crimes linked with Nigerians like slavery, prostitution, robbery and so on; the inhuman condition of the stranded Nigerians in detention camps; the difficulty in evacuating the young Nigerians who are mostly illegal migrants and the reality that not all Nigerians in the Arab country can be immediately returned home because they are in inaccessible and rebel-controlled areas.

    Other discoveries are: the need to explore shrewd diplomacy to prevail on Libya to concede to the release of 5,037 trapped Nigerians and the stark reality that legally, Nigerians resident in Libya are not in a hurry to leave because they make much money from the Libyan petroleum sector, Information Technology (IT) and health services.

    The shuttle also gave the Libyan authorities the opportunity to gauge the Federal Government’s readiness to repatriate its citizens who have constituted nuisance to their country.

    It is on record that the Federal Government protested against the maltreatment of Nigerians in various detention centres and prisons in Libya.

    The President’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and the Dispora said: “We got reports of extortion, beating, and outright killing in anger, violation of rights and all forms of inhuman treatment. The delegation protested to the Libyan Government.”

    With the frank talks and the rapprochement between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Libyan Justice & Foreign Affairs Ministers, a new diplomatic vista has been opened by the two countries.

    For the first time, the Libyan Government allowed Nigerian fact-finding team to have access to four detention camps in Tripoli to meet with the trapped Nigerians.

    The camps are: Tajoura Detention Centre, Trig al Matar Detention Centre, Trig al Seka Detention Centre and Zilten Detention Centre.

    A member of the delegation said: “In one of the centres, our records showed that there were about 367 returnees but we actually met with over 600.”

    Onyeama and members of his team were upset by the appalling conditions of Nigerians in the detention centres.

    The minister said: “We went to Libya; we discussed with the government; we saw all of you young children; young boys and young girls; and we negotiated to ensure you came back.

    “There were a lot of challenges that we faced. But, we were ready to overcome them and bring you here and you are the first batch that has arrived.

    “We saw the very difficult conditions in which you were held, we felt for you for the very traumatic experience you went through and our hearts really went out to you and I must say that each and every one of us on that delegation really felt so proud of you.

    As young children, notwithstanding everything that you went through, you maintained your dignity,  your composure, your respect and you stood up when we came and sang the national Anthem,  the national pledge with pride, we are extremely proud of you; extremely proud of the way you comported yourself notwithstanding the condition, the most inhuman condition that you were found yourself during this stay.

    “We hope that one thing you have learnt is that your lives matter to Nigerians. Your lives matter to Mr. President. There is no other place in this world that can be dearer than being with your brothers, your sisters and your parents here in Nigeria.

    “We know that many if you were trafficked many of you taken against your better judgment, you have come home and you will not be abandoned.  There are provisions in place to provide for an extensive rehabilitation for you to enable you to get education, skills and development to equip you to get jobs.”

    Why government can’t stop illegal migration

    The Federal Government’s major challenge is the inability to check the exodus of Nigerian youths to Libya via Niger Republic. Apart from its porous borders, the ECOWAS Protocol allows free movement of Nigerians all over West Africa, irrespective of their missions. The Immigration chief told The Nation in Tripoli: “I want you to know that regional migration in West Africa is  ECOWAS-based.  The border of Nigeria in reality is in Niger, not in Nigeria. What we are saying is that any Nigerian who wants to go to Niger, do not need a visa. All they need is a cross travel certificate and you have no right to stop them.

    Babandede said: “But cooperation with Niger Republic is fundamental in migration. This we have done in June 2017 when we invited the heads of immigration services of the whole ECOWAS region to stop them and make sure that Niger provides that border control for us.

    “Anybody can take a travel certificate and go to Niger without a visa. As a citizen, you can go to Ghana, Benin Republic.  All we can do is to stop people we suspect and they have the right to protest if they have the right to travel.

    “We have common mobility with Niger. We are working with Niger. In 2017 alone we have returned almost 500 people through the support of Niger Republic. Some, we have stopped because they do not have documents at all. What you see as this large number of Nigerians in Libya is not a cause of today; it is a gradual process and they are trapped in Libya because of the crisis there.

    “Some of them have even joined rebel groups. That is why some take the risk and go through the sea. We need to make our borders effective. We think we can do it with technology. We are committed to that and to reduce the number of people who are travelling because the border is our big challenge.

    “Next month, we are going to launch a border training programme where our officers can work simultaneously with the ones in Niger Republic so that once they see anyone in that kind of position, they can turn him back and we can take action.

    “Our intervention in Libya is not only for illegal migrants. The Minister of Foreign Affairs had the opportunity to chat with some Nigerians who are living legally and doing business.

    “We want to showcase to Libyans that every Nigerian living in Libya is not a bad guy or drug pusher. The minister met them and this is why we sent intervention to review their passport.  There are people who are working in oil companies, factories or running their businesses as citizens of ECOWAS. We need to support them.”

    What next for government, returnees?

    The immediate task of the government is to liberate many Nigerians held hostage in rebel-held areas in Libya.  The 5,037 Nigerians being evacuated at present were mostly those trapped in Tripoli which is under UN-backed government.

    More Nigerians have been stranded in rebel-controlled areas like Misrata, Sirte, Benghazi and Tobruk. These areas are inaccessible to the government delegation.

    Beyond the evacuation, the government has mapped out a reintegration, rehabilitation, and sensitisation programme for the returnees.

    Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said: “The Federal Government under the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs & the Diaspora has concluded arrangements to provide skill development programmes for the returnees.

    “The short-term training includes: basic sewing/dress making; baking and confectionery; bag making; bead and fabric stoning; soap making; deodorant; bleach and disinfectant; hair fixing; braiding and weaving; tie & dye and batik; manicure; pedicure and nail fixing; food preparation and small chops; make-up; gele (headgear) tying and event decoration.

    “The skills under the long-term includes: welding; plumbing; aluminum fabrication; hair dressing/barbing; woodwork/carpentry; and catering/hotel management.”

    On sensitization, Onyeama tasked the returnees: “After all you have been through in Libya, we want you to go out there as advocate to tell other young boys and girls in the country your experiences in Libya  so that they will not make the same mistakes; so that they will not be in the same condition to be exploited and be deceived into embarking on this hazardous journey.”

    Will returnees go back to Libya/Italy?

    As the Max Air Boeing Jet was hovering over the airspace of Port Harcourt, there was no sign that all the returnees have learnt their lessons. The federal and the states would have to live up to the promise of given the returnees a new lease of life.

  • 487 Nigerian returnees arrive Port Harcourt from Libya

    487 Nigerian returnees arrive Port Harcourt from Libya

    The second batch of 487 Nigerian returnees from Libya arrived Port Harcourt International Airport at about 10.43 p.m. on Monday in Max Air.

    On Friday, the Federal Government announced the establishment of a reception centre in  Port Harcourt for 5,037 Nigerians being evacuated from Libya.

    The returnees were received by officials of National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ), led representatives from other Federal Government agencies.

    NEMA officials conveyed the returnees to Haji camp where they were profiled and fed.

    Officials were on ground to check the returnees’ body temperature and also gave immediate first aid to those in need.

    Read also: 1,295 Nigerians returned from Libya in November

    Officials also said that 487 returnees are expected to be transported back to their states of origin within few days.

    The Federal Government on Monday said it has so far evacuated 1,030 stranded Nigerian migrants from Libya between January 7 and January 8.

    Mustapha Maihaja, the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency, disclosed this at a joint news conference by the Federal Government delegation to Libya.

    Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, had on January 5 led a delegation on fact finding mission to Libya to secure the release of Nigerian migrants stranded in that country.

    Onyeama said the Nigerian mission in Libya was coordinating the identification of the Nigerian migrants with the support of International Organisation for Migration.

    According to him, they are being joined by a technical team comprising representatives from NEMA, Immigration and other relevant Nigerian government agencies.

    The minister said that the political and security challenges in that country made it difficult to secure the evacuation of some Nigerians back home.

    He added that “there are different centres of power in that country.

    The central government recognised by the UN and AU do not have full control of the territories controlled by rebels.”

    He pointed out that there were over 50 detention camps in Libya, many of them under the control of rebels and militia groups.

    NAN

  • 1,030 stranded Nigerians evacuated from Libya in two days

    1,030 stranded Nigerians evacuated from Libya in two days

    The Federal Government said yesterday it evacuated 1,030 stranded Nigerian migrants from Libya between Sunday and yesterday.

    Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja stated this at a joint news conference by the Federal Government delegation to Libya.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama led a delegation on fact-finding mission to Libya to secure the release of Nigerian migrants stranded in that country.

    On the delegation were: Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora and Muhammad Babandede, Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service.

    Others were Julie Okah-Donli, Director General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Sadiya Umar-Faruq, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees.

    Maihaja told reporters that the returnees were — 485 — who came back on Sunday and 545 who came back on Monday, noting that they were part of the 5,037 stranded Nigerians identified for evacuation back home.

    He stated a reception centre approved by President Muhammadu Buhari had been set up in Port Harcourt, Rivers for the returnees.

    According to him, the returnees on arrival will be formally received and profiled before being transported to their various states.

    He said that the reception centre was organised in such a way that the Ministry of Health provided facilities to look after those with health-related problems.

    He explained that those who were critically ill were taken to University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for treatment.

    He added that the returnees would be profiled through the Immigration, Directorate of State Service and other agencies, emphasising that those with criminal tendencies and ISIS inclination would be taken  care of by relevant agencies.

    Maihaja said the delegation had 21 days to complete its operation.

    The Foreign Affairs Minister also said the delegation was in Libya to engage with Libyan Government at the highest level to facilitate the evacuation of the stranded Nigerian migrants from the North African country.

    Onyeama said the Nigerian mission in Libya was coordinating the identification of the Nigerian migrants with the support of International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

    According to him, they are being joined by a technical team comprising representatives from NEMA, Immigration and other relevant Nigerian government agencies.

    The minister said that the political and security challenges in that country made it difficult to secure the evacuation of some Nigerians back home.

    He added that “there are different centres of power in that country. The central government recognised by the UN and AU do not have full control of the territories controlled by rebels.”

    He pointed out that there were over 50 detention camps in Libya, many of them under the control of rebels and militia groups.

    The minister said that the young Nigerians being trafficked were shattered and battered and seen as commodity to be traded for economic gains.

    He said the Libyan Government blamed the criminal elements for the human trafficking business, noting that the president was keen at dissociating the ordinary Libyan people from the narrative.

    He noted that there were complaints about how some migrants in detention camps were being exploited by government officials for economic gains.

    He said Nigerians who were residing in Libya legally complained of harassment by Libyan Government officials who they said destroyed their passports and other residency papers.

    Babandede said: “I want to state that in 2017 alone we received in to the country deportees specifically from Libya, 5908.

    “So if you add to the number we received on Jan7  which was 485 from Libya it  will give you 6,393 deportees we received Libya.

    “The ratio of those deported on Jan. 7 is very interesting, the male is 398, female 84, children 3.

    According to him a total of 3,498 men, 2,684 female and minors 211 were deported from Libya in 2017 which shows the ratio between male and female is almost balance.

    He said of the 485 returnees over the weekend, 398 are male, female 84 and children 3.

    He said a grand total of 16,387 persons were repatriated to Nigeria across the globe in 2017.

    He said: “I don’t want us to look at it as if it only in Libya the deportees are coming from, like from Saudi Arabia we have a total deportees of 3836 deportees in 2017 made up of male 395, female 2,331, children 1,110 .

    The NAPTIP Director General said the agency would profile the returnees to identify those who were real victims of trafficking.

    Okah-Donli said “the returnees would be counseled by trained personnel and those with medical condition would be treated at the agency’s facilities.”

    She said the rehabilitation period would last for six months during which the returnees would be trained on different skills acquisition and empowered with tools.

    “We will monitor them for about two years to ensure that they don’t re-embark on the treacherous journey,” she added.

  • Libya: When home is hell

    Libya: When home is hell

    A saying from the southwest of Nigeria suggests that when the homestead is comfortable, it reflects on the skin. It is a self-evident maxim of course. A capacious and well-laid abode that boasts of a regular and equally well-laid out dinner table becomes instantly visible on the skin, gait and outlook of the occupant.

    Apart from the rich veneer of the skin, the fortunate man is full in himself (not necessarily of himself); he does not wish he were a denizen of the next compound and would not lose sleep about the sight and sound of the neighbour’s dinner table. This is what they mean when they make the pithy remark: bi’le ba san ni awo la n wo.

    Let us stretch it a little to say that if your country is habitable and a place of pride, it does not only reflect in your sense of patriotism, it is most perceived in the frequency with which one seeks to jet off to another country; not to mention what would seem an innate desire to wear your country, eat your country and relish all aspects of your country.

    Of course this story is about the ongoing story of the Libyan hell hole where thousands of desperate Nigerians have sought to find escape and fortune.

    Last November about 1300 Nigerians where shipped home like cargo from Libya. Since then, no week passed without a streaming in of hundreds of derelict Nigerians rescued from Libyan camps and hauled home.

    The world was recently scandalized when stories and pictures of Nigerians in slave conditions broke from Libya. Nigerian youths and the not-so-youthful daring the Sahara to make it to Libya then challenging the Mediterranean sea to seek to sneak into Europe. It is do-or-die for most of them.

    It is said that most returnees vowed to go back to Libya through another route at the earliest opportunity. The expressions on their faces speak volumes. They do not seem to be happy to return or to have been rescued.

    A recent report may seem to corroborate that. A sinking rubber dinghy bearing about 100 migrants mainly of West African (read Nigerian) origin was saved from drowning in the Mediterranean over the weekend.

    An Italian patrol aircraft had spotted the troubled boat and set about rescuing it. Eight people died while about 86 were rescued. It would appear that some escapees would want to make a last ditch effort to dash to Europe by any means possible.

    This is what happens when home is hell and anywhere else but home would do. Ironically, our leaders do not feel scandalized at the garbagizing of Nigerians and the global odium it brings.

    They are not perturbed that they have made home hell for our youths.

  • Migrants: Committee evacuates 545 Nigerians from Libya

    Migrants: Committee evacuates 545 Nigerians from Libya

    …says over 16,000 were evacuated in 2017 from different countries

     

    Additional 545 Nigerian migrants were expected back home on Monday from Libya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama led committee on Libya migration crisis has said.

    This is apart from the 485 that were repatriated at the weekend from Libya.

    The committee also revealed that a technical team has been left behind in Libya to search out Nigerians scattered across the war turn county.

    Meanwhile, a grand total of 16,387 persons were deported to Nigeria across the globe in 2017.

    The committee which briefed newsmen in Abuja yesterday also noted that it was able to visit only five of about 50 camps where Nigerians are been held in captivity.

    Onyeama briefed alongside other members which include, the comptroller General of immigration Mr Muhammed Babandede, the Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking Persons, Julie Okah-Donli, Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Mustapha Maihaja and Sadia Umaru-Farouk, Commissioner for Refugee.

    The comptroller General of immigration Mr Muhammed Babandede who reeled out the the figures of Nigerian repatriated from Libya revealed that in 2017 alone, the country received 5908 migrants and if added to Sunday returnee of 4585, we would have 6,393 deportees from Libya alone.

    Babandede speaking on the outcome of the findings by members of Federal Government Delegation to Libya said, “I want to state that in 2017 alone we have received in to the country deportees specifically from Libya, 5908.

    “So if you add to the number we received on Jan.7 which was 485 from Libya it will give you 6,393 deportees we received Libya.

    “The ratio of those deported on Jan. 7 is very interesting, the male is 398, female 84, children 3.

    According to him a total of 3,498 men, 2,684 female and minors 211 were deported from Libya in 2017 which shows the ratio between male and female is almost balance.

    He also noted that of the 485 returnees over the weekend, 398 are male, female 84 and children 3.

    ImmIgration boss also noted that a total number of 3498 deportees from Libya were men, 2,684 female, minors 211 “which shows the ratio between male and female is almost balance.”

    He revealed further that a grand total of 16,387 persons person were deported to Nigeria across the globe in 2017.

    He said, “I don’t want us to look at it as if it only in Libya the deportees are coming from, like from Saudi Arabia surprisingly we have a total deportees of 3836 deportees in 2017 alone the ratio is very interesting male only 395 female 2,331 children 1,110 the ratio in Saudi Arabia is high from other countries you know Europe has been deporting the highest number from other countries is from south Africa, Italy and Austria the total number we have from other countries is greater than the one in Libya, 6643, so grand total of person deported to Nigeria in 2017 is 16,387 we afraid this might continue or even be higher in 2018.”

    He also said that the security agencies will also screen the returnees to identify those who were trafficked and those who are irregular migrants.

    The committee also promised to train the returnees and empower them so as to ensure their smooths integration into the society.

  • Onyeama receives 491 Nigerian returnees from Libya

    Onyeama receives 491 Nigerian returnees from Libya

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, has reassured Federal Government’s commitment to return all stranded Nigerians from Libya.

    Onyeama gave the assurance when he received 491 Nigerian returnees from Libya at Port Harcourt International Airport, alongside Rivers Government officials.

    The minister said there were stories of exploitation and suffering by stranded Nigerians in Libya, which compelled Federal Government to act decisively.

    He added that “we made it clear to the Libyan Government that we want to see all Nigerians there. We insisted that we should see all of them, instead of hearing from them.

    “We made it clear that they ( Libyans ) are signatories to international conventions and we expected them to have control of those who guard our children.

    “They cooperated with us because of respect for Mr President, there were people who were making money from these children and did not want them to return home.

    “We carried out rigorous outreach to ensure that we have everybody back.”

    The minister noted that the programme was a continuous process that would return all stranded Nigerians from Libya.

    The minister explained that “the Libyan Government got the message that as far as they are Nigerians, we have zero tolerance for molestation.”

    The Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Sir Kenneth Kobani, who led the state delegation, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for making efforts in returning the stranded Nigerians.

    He said “as a state government, we had no choice really, let me say that the Rivers State Governor made it clear to me that  we should  do everything possible to make sure that this exercise was handled smoothly.

    “The  Rivers State Government would do everything in its power to assist federal agencies handling this programme, because above everything else, we are all Nigerians and this programme is a clear indication that when we work together, we can achieve anything.

    “What you are seeing here today clearly shows that our governor and indeed the President feel same about this issue.

    “On behalf of the Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, I will like to thank President Muhammadu  Buhari, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his team who worked tirelessly to make the return of our brothers and sisters successful.”

    Reports say that all the returnees were profiled at designated booths at the airport.

    The minister was accompanied by officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service, NEMA NAPTIP and military personnel.

    NAN

  • Govt protests harassment of Nigerians in Libya

    Govt protests harassment of Nigerians in Libya

    Nigeria at the weekend protested the harassment of her citizens by Libyans in illegal migrants’ camps.

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Geofrey Onyeama expressed the Federal Government’s displeasure when he met with his Libyan counterpart in Tripoli at the weekend.

    The minister led a government delegation to the country to facilitate the release and evacuation of more than 5,000 Nigerian illegal migrants trapped in the North African country.

    On the alleged maltreatment of Nigerians, Onyeama said: “We have made our feelings known to the relevant Ministers and we asked the Libyan government to stop it.”

    A member of the delegation, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa said: “We got reports of extortion, beating, outright killing in anger, violation of rights and all forms  of inhuman treatment. The delegation protested to Libyan

    “The leader of delegation, Mr. Onyeama, had a session with Libyan Ministers of Justice and Foreign Affairs where he lodged our protest. Some heads of various detention centres were also there. Although they denied maltreating Nigerians, they were  warned by Libyan senior government officials to desist from such act  if they had been doing it.

    “We extracted a commitment from them that the illegal conduct will stop. We will however be documenting reports relating to misconduct by Libyan officials at the detention centres.”

    Many of the returnees were however crying and begging President Muhammadu Buhari to rescue others in some parts of Libya apart from Tripoli.

    After about 72 hours of talks, a Fact-Finding Committee Federal Government team evacuated 481 out of the estimated first batch of 5,000 Nigerians from Libya. They were flown to Port Harcourt last night.

    The delegation reached a deal with the Libyan Government on how to locate all Nigerians trapped in the Arab country.

    The Libyan Government allowed Nigerian fact-finding team to have access to four detention camps in Tripoli to meet with the trapped Nigerians.

    The camps are Jejura Detention Centre, Sikka Detention Centre, Zanzu Detention Centre and Terie Matar..

    There were indications however that the number of the stranded Nigerians was more than the 5,000 because more of them were sending distress messages to a member of the delegation, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who is the Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora affairs.

    Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mustapha Maihaja said: “We have started the evacuation of over 5,000 Nigerians from Libya to the Reception Centre in Port Harcourt.

    “Those in the inaugural flight with Max Air were 481. We hope that in the next 19 days, we will be able to complete the evacuation. We are also using Medview Airline.

    “Already, we have many officers on standby in Port Harcourt for profiling, medical examination and other relevant data. There is understanding with affected state governments to receive these returnees at the Reception Centre for rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.”

    Speaking with our correspondent in Tripoli, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Onyeama said: “We have had useful discussions with the Libyan authorities on how to ensure smooth evacuation of Nigerians trapped in Libya.

    “I think the number of those affected could be more than the initial figure of 5,000. This is why we have the technical team here.”

    The returnees were accompanied back home by the minister, Senior Special Assistant to the President on The Diaspora and Foreign Affairs Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Director general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mustapha Maihaja and a Director in the office of the National Security Adviser Mr Abba Ibrahim.

  • Nigeria to repatriate citizens from Libya

    Nigeria is to speed up repatriation of its citizens from Libya.

    The Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama who spoke during a press conference in Tripoli said Nigeria was chartering two aircraft to repatriate over the next few days 800 of its citizens who wanted to return home.

    Onyeama said he had visited two migrant detention centres in Libya and met a number of his compatriots.

    He told reporters, “The reality is that a large number of these Nigerians here have suffered greatly and have gone through an extreme traumatic experience.

    “The main objective is to get these Nigerians back home as quickly as possible.”

    Onyeama admitted there had been difficulties in identifying the number of Nigerians in Libya, as many were undocumented or in detention centres not controlled by the authorities.

    Nigeria had already pledged to repatriate 250 migrants a week, following a CNN report on a slave trade targeting illegal migrants from West Africa in Libya.

    Nigerians make up the majority of undocumented migrants trying to make the treacherous crossing via the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.

    Almost 1,300 Nigerian migrants were brought home from Libya last November — nearly twice as many as in the previous month, the head of Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency said in December

     

  • Fed Govt begins mass evacuation of Nigerians in Libya

    Fed Govt begins mass evacuation of Nigerians in Libya

    A Federal Government Delegation has arrived Libya to commence mass evacuation of Nigerians stranded in the North African country home.

    The Head of Media and Public Relations, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Sani Datti, made this known in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

    Datti said the delegation was led by Mr Geoffrey Onyema, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied by the Director-General of NEMA, Engr Mustapha Maihaja and other heads of relevant agencies.

    Datti said the delegation arrived Tripoli, on Wednesday ahead of the actual evacuation operation expected to commence on Friday to transport stranded Nigerians with two indigenous carriers engaged for the exercises.

    “A total of 5, 037 stranded citizens have been identified for evacuation home.

    “The Nigerian mission in Libya is coordinating the identification of the Nigerian migrants with the support of the International Organisation for Migration.

    “They are being joined by a technical team for the evacuation exercise comprising representatives of all relevant agencies.

    “A reception centre has been established in Port Harcourt where the returnees on their arrival would be formally received and profiled before being transported to their various states,” Datti said.

    He said the evacuation exercises was being led by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and coordinated by the National Emergency Management Agency with the involvement of all the relevant agencies.

    Datti said among the delegation are; Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Mrs Julie Okah-Donli, the Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking.

    Others are, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service, Mr Muhammadu Babandede, and representatives of other security agencies.