The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Libya

  • Libya blocks Nigerian migrants going to Europe

    Libya blocks Nigerian migrants going to Europe

    Despite accusations of slavery in Libya, Nigerian migrants are still flocking the North African country to reach Europe.

    Latest reports said the Libyan coastguard blocked 324 migrants, among them Nigerians, who were trying to reach Europe, using the Mediterranean Sea.

    They were picked up on Monday trying to leave on board two rubber boats.

    The migrants intercepted about seven miles off the western town of Zuwara on Monday included 35 women and 16 children, coastguard spokesman Ayoub Qassem said in a statement.

    They were mostly from four sub-Saharan countries: Chad, Nigeria, Mali, Ivory Coast.

    “There are some others from Tunisia, Pakistan and Morocco. There are also 32 persons including eight women and six children from Libya, and three families among them,” he said.

    The number of migrants crossing from Libya has dropped since July as Libyan factions and authorities – under pressure from Italy and the European Union – began to block departures, especially from the smuggling hub of Sabratha.

    But they have continued from the shoreline east of the capital, Tripoli, and dozens are thought to have died after a boat sank off Zuwara earlier this month.

    Zuwara was itself a major migrant smuggling hub until 2015, when there was a local backlash against smuggling after a boat thought to be carrying several hundred migrants sank.

    So far this year, just over 3,500 migrants have arrived in Italy from Libya, 62 percent fewer than during the same period last year, according to Italian interior ministry statistics.

    The top three nationalities declared by migrants arriving in Italy are Eritrean, Tunisian and Pakistani, followed by Nigerian and Libyan.

    The International Organisation for Migrants(IOM), along with the Nigerian government has been repatriating for several months now, thousands of Nigerians stranded in Libya.

  • More than 1,084 refugees repatriated from Libya since November – UN

    More than 1,084 refugees repatriated from Libya since November – UN

    The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR ) on Thursday said 1,084 refugees were repatriated from Libya since beginning of the agency’s operation in November 2017 to date.

    The UNHCR Envoy for the Central Mediterranean, Vincent Cochetel, made this known in a statement in Washington.

    “On Tuesday, a flight departed from Tripoli bound for, Niamey, Niger, carrying 128 refugees.

    “Also on Wednesday, a second plane took 150 refugees from Tripoli to Rome, Italy, bringing to 1,084 the total number of refugees evacuated since the beginning of the operation, three months ago,’’ Cochetel said.

    Cochetel said the repatriation would give the refugees a “new chance at life” after they suffered tremendously following their detention in Libya.

    “By the end of 2018, we hope to evacuate thousands more,” Cochetel added.

    Libya is a primary route for African migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean for southern Europe.

    Sputnik/NAN

  • Libya to close four immigrant shelters

    Libya to close four immigrant shelters

    Libya’s Illegal Immigration Agency on Thursday issued a decision to close four shelters in western Libya, without giving a specific reason.

    The chief of the Illegal Immigration Agency Brig.-Gen Mohamed Beshr described the decision, which came days after his meeting with Francesco Masini, envoy of the Dutch Foreign Minister, as being in the interest of the public and the department’s work organisation.

    The topics discussed at the meeting were the contributions pledged by the Netherlands and the maintenance of immigrant shelters in Libya.

    Libyan immigrant reception centers have housed thousands of migrants, mostly Africans, rescued in the Mediterranean on boats while attempting to cross to European shores.

    Sheltering illegal immigrants in Libya has been suffering major problems, particularly in equipment and infrastructure. 

    NAN

  • NAPTIP evacuates 13,000 Nigerians from Libya

    NAPTIP evacuates 13,000 Nigerians from Libya

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) evacuated over 13,000 illegal migrants from Libya between November and January, the Zonal Commander for Edo and Delta states, Mr. Nduka Nwanwenne, has said.

    He spoke yesterday at Ubiaja in Esan South East Local Government of Edo State during an advocacy and sensitisation visit to schools.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise was in collaboration with the Global Initiative Against Illegal Migration (GIAIM), a non-government organisation (NGO).

    Nwanwenne said the Federal Government had documented another 5, 035 persons to be brought back from Libya.

    He said the agency had in its custody about 100 victims trafficked for prostitution from both states, with one confirmed  HIV positive.

    The zonal commander decried the alarming rate of human trafficking and illegal migration despite the ills associated with the trend.

    He said the pains of human trafficking and illegal migration outweighed the benefits.

    Nwanwenne said the reasons people gave for illegal migration were unemployment and poverty, noting that most victims did not live to enjoy the wealth they made.

    He admonished students to shun the quest for quick money and the desire to travel abroad.

    The commander advised parents to stop mounting pressure on their children to travel overseas and make money for them.

    Mr. Emmanuel Obinyan, the executive director of GIAIM, said human trafficking had eaten deep into the society because of the desire for quick and easy wealth.

    He advised students to be dedicated to their studies, as the best and easiest way to good life is through education.

    Obinyan urged them not to be deceived by anybody that it is easy to make quick money in Europe.

    NAN reports that 12 schools participated in the sensitisation at St. John Bosco Secondary School, Ubiaja.

  • Yobe govt reunites 216 deportees from Libya with families

    The Yobe State government at the weekend reunited additional 216 persons deported from Libya with their families in the state.

    Commissioner for Justice and Chairman of Repatriation Committee Alhaji Ahmed Goniri handed over the deportees to their respective local council chairmen in Damaturu.

    He said 182 of the 216 persons were indigenes of the state, while 33 others were from Niger Republic and one from Borno.

    “They initially claimed to be from Yobe state but on profiling, we realised that 33 were from border communities in Niger Republic while one was from Borno.

    “We have now handed over the Nigeriens to the state Controller of Immigration for onward repatriation to their country,” he said.

    The commissioner lauded Governor Ibrahim Gaidam for his speedy approval to evacuate the returnees.

    Alhaji Musa Jidawa, the Permanent Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said the evacuation of the returnees has given the deportees and their families a sense of belonging.

    He said the deportees were screened by relevant security agencies, medical personnel and humanitarian organisations.

    “We have put a technical mechanism in place to effectively monitor the delivery of the deportees to their communities,” he said.

    29 persons were earlier deported from Libya and repatriated to the state last week.

    Malam Abba Modu, one of the deportees, commended the Yobe government for moving them from PortHarcourt to the state.

    “Gov. Gaidam acted like a true father to all of us by repatriating us back home,” Modu said.

     

  • Oyo receives another batch of 9 female returnees from Libya

    Oyo receives another batch of 9 female returnees from Libya

    Oyo State Government on Monday received another batch of nine Libya returnees, who are citizens of the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the returnees, who are females, were received by Chief Moses Adeyemo, the Deputy Governor, at the governor’s office in Ibadan.

    NAN also reports that the state government had last week received 11 returnees, who were indigenes of the state as the first batch from the troubled Libya.

    Adeyemo charged parents to effectively watch the whereabouts and welfare of their children.

    “We heard a lot of unpalatable news in the media about you being used as slaves in a foreign land, and you can’t go to their courts.

    “But the joy of government is that we are happy that you are here present. By the grace of God, within a short period of time, you will recover from all the treatment you experienced in Libya.

    “I advise you to learn several informal jobs like hairdressing, tailoring, shoemaking. There must be dignity of labour in all we do though we know that some Nigerians just want cheap money.

    “If you are patient in Nigeria, you will definitely get some work to do. Now that you are here, go straight to your homes, learn a trade and later become an employer of labour,” he said.

    The deputy governor urged the parents to take them to the hospital to be sure they are healthy.

    He said the Oyo government would give each of the returnees N10, 000 to start up and enjoined them not to be afraid to go back to their houses.

    One of the returnees, Olaiya told newsmen that she paid N1.4 million with her sister for the Libyan trip.

    “When we lost our parents, someone introduced us to the idea of going to Libya.

    “I worked as a maid with an Arab family for 22 months.

    “I helped her to clean her house because she stays alone. I left Nigeria March 14 and got to Libya March 28 and started working.

    “We returned when people at home started calling for us to return,” she said. (NAN)

  • Libya returnees appeal to Obaseki to fulfill pledge of N100m

    Libya returnees appeal to Obaseki to fulfill pledge of N100m

    Some returnees from Libya have appealed to Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo to fulfill his pledge and release the grant of N100 million for 150 hectares of land to them.

    They appealed to the governor to give the land he promised to the 150 trained returnees.

    Some of the trained returnees made this appeal when they spoke with journalists in Benin on Thursday.

    The state government in November 2017 organised two weeks training programme on various aspects of agriculture to some of the returnees.

    The returnees, who are indigenes of the state, were trained on poultry, fishery, food processing and crop planting.

    Obaseki had at the closing ceremony of the two weeks programme, announced the approval of N100 million seed grant as well as 150 hectares of land as seed grant for the trained returnees.

    The governor said that the State Agricultural Development Programme ( ADP ), would work with the returnees for the implementation of the project.

    However, some of the returnees who pleaded anonymity said they were in the dark on the implementation of the programme almost two months after the approval was made.

    “January is almost gone and we are totally at loss as to what is happening to the project that is meant to cushion the effect of what some of us who returned from Libya.

    “It is our belief that when implemented, we will be gainfully and meaningfully engaged and thus stopping us from being involved in social vices.

    “We also believe that with timely release or implementation of the programme, those who are yet to be trained will be encouraged as well as prevented from going back to Libya.

    “Whether we like it or not, some of those that have returned are still planning to go back to that country because of the hardship in the country,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the government had pleaded for patience from the returnees as modalities for the implementation of the programme was being drawn out.

    Mr Solomon Okoduwa, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Anti-Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, made the appeal while reacting to the call by the returnees.

    He said the governor remained committed to the course and had been working assiduously to ensure timely release of the fund.

    “I can tell you that he (Obaseki) has not relented on ensuring better life for the returnees, especially to encourage the returned once to stay back home and discouraged those planning to leave.

    “It is for this reason he graciously approved the training programme and the subsequent the approval of the seed grant and 150 hectares of land.

    “It will also interest you to know that about 600 others have returned and they have started receiving a monthly stipend of N20, 000, which will last for three months pending their scheduled training programme.

    “So, I am also appealing to them to be patient as they have not been forgotten by the governor who has been working very hard toward this course,” he said.

    NAN

  • Libya returnees: Edo knocks NAPTIP’s uncooperative posture, writes FG

    Libya returnees: Edo knocks NAPTIP’s uncooperative posture, writes FG

    …to partner Sahara Energy on power, gas

    The Edo Executive Council on Tuesday expressed disappointment over the uncooperative posture of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in the evacuation and reintegration of victims of human trafficking, particularly the last batch of Libya returnees that came through Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State.

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said this after the weekly Executive Council (EXCO) meeting, which he chaired, at the Government House, Benin City.

    Obaseki also said that the state was developing a new tripartite arrangement with oil companies involving the oil companies, the state government and host communities to ensure that Corporate Social Responsibility programmes achieve the desired impact and are sustainable.

    He said the new relationship model which will replace the conventional bilateral model was important to create a better, valuable investor-community relationship and effective service delivery to the target communities.

    While briefing journalists, Governor Obaseki expressed dissatisfaction with the way NAPTIP and other agencies that are statutorily charged to cater to victims of human trafficking, treated the victims.

    He added that it was in the brief of NAPTIP to properly guide the Federal Government on packages for the victims, like the batches evacuated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), who were given one hundred Euro, noting that it was only wise for NAPTIP to have advised government on the need for transport stipends for those being airlifted into the country so that they are not stranded on arriving Nigeria.

    “NAPTIP’s commentary on the efforts of Edo State government to reintegrate the victims have been uncomplimentary. The efforts of the Edo State Government have received local and international commendations. If NAPTIP was proactive in carrying out its task, we won’t have the scale of crisis we have in our hands today,” he said.

    The governor said the Exco meeting discussed key issues affecting the state, which includes migration, noting that the state was not pleased with the abysmal level of support shown by some agencies.

    “We are writing to the presidency to register our displeasure so that urgent actions will be taken,” he said.

    On the new model of relating with companies, the governor explained that “In Edo State, we have decided to create our own model for relating with the oil producing companies. We do not want a situation where the communities and the oil companies have a bilateral arrangement that is not effective.

    This time, it is going to be a tripartite arrangement among the oil companies, host communities and government, and each party will contribute to the purse and execute huge projects that will meet the expectations of our people on a sustainable basis.”

  • Nigerian ‘human trafficker’ held in Libya

    Nigerian ‘human trafficker’ held in Libya

    Following an understanding with Federal Government delegation, the Libyan government has detained a top Nigerian female human trafficker Maria Oda.

    Oda, known in Tripoli as Hajiya Aisha, is believed to have trafficked more than 80 ladies and girls to the North African country.

    Yesterday a returnee said many Nigerians remain are imprisoned at a Libyan town from where people connect to Europe through Italy.

    Mr Paul Eke, one of the 560 returnees from Libya said in Port Harcourt yesterday that the federal government should “do more by rescuing some Nigerians who are still trapped in some interior parts of Libya.”

    He said: “I stayed in Zawe Superata, this place is like an exit point to Italy and so many Nigerians are still being imprisoned there.” He thanked the federal government for ensuring a smooth return of migrants, adding that it showed the government’s commitment to its citizens.

    Intelligence report indicated that Maria Oda was a “notorious” member of a syndicate recruiting young girls for prostitution, slavery, menial jobs and exodus to Libya, Spain and Italy.

    According to a top source, Maria is expected to be tried in Tripoli.

    The source said: “After being trailed for many months, she was arrested. Her profile showed that she is from Akwa Ibom. She is using the fake name Hajiya Aisha.

    “She runs a human trafficking ring in Tripoli and she has remained in the business for many years. She had up to 80 girls under her control. She is detained in Tajoura Detention Centre in Tripoli.

    “The Libyan government has lined up three of her victims as witnesses during her trial. Immediately the affected girls complete their testimony, they will be evacuated to Nigeria.

    “The Federal Government delegation was briefed about the nefarious activities of Maria Oda.

    “I think if the agreement between Libya and the Federal Government is firmed up, the suspect may serve her jail term in a Nigerian prison.”

    The Federal Government has been working in collaboration with Libyan authorities to track down those behind trafficking to the Arab country through Niger Republic.”

    A member of the government delegation: “We are aware of the arrest of the suspect, we have been told. We are awaiting the outcome of her trial.”

  • ‘I consulted Ifa priests, others for safe return of my daughter from Libya’

    Mr Kehinde Enabulele, father of Eki, one of the 846 Edo indigenes who was repatriated from Libya on Tuesday said that he visited an “Ifa priest” and native doctors, for the dafe return of his daughter.

    Enabulele told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he was not aware that his daughter travelled to Libya adding that, Eki and her mother kept it as secret from him.

    “One day I returned from work and asked where she was and her mother told me that she went to visit her aunty.

    “Each time I ask, they will keep me giving me excuses. Untill she called me with one foreign number after three weeks

    “I told her never to call me again and insisted that she must return home. I am not from a very poor family so why should she embark on such journey.

    “ I have never failed to provide for my family as a father. Apart from paying my children ‘s school fees, I also enrolled them in after school skills acquisition centres to ensure they become better people in life.

    “’Eki is my first child, when you lose a first child is like losing your own life,” he told NAN.

    He said that as a Benin man, he immediately went to the Ifa priest, native doctors and also churches to pray so that she will not succeed in crossing to Europe.

    According to him, God answered my prayers and my daughter is back. I am the happiest man right now. I cannot gamble with any of my children.

    “I nearly divorced my wife after my daughter disappeared.  I also threatened to divorce her if she refuses to tell me who sponsored the trip

    “I am just waiting for the state government to release her to me so that I can take her to the hospital for proper medical examination.

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

    Max Air Ltd., says it has signed contract agreement with the Federal government to evacuate 3,184 of the 5,037 Nigerians expected to return from Libya

    Muhammadu Buhari approved that a centre be set up in Port Harcourt, Rivers for the returnees.