" ITREALMS: Official: 2,778 Nigerians still in detention in Libya

Wednesday, December 06, 2017

Official: 2,778 Nigerians still in detention in Libya

The Federal Government has disclosed that a total of 2,778 Nigerian migrants are being held in various detention camps in Libya, reports ITRealms.

According to the spokesperson to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tiwatope Elias-Fatiile, on Tuesday, said Nigerian embassy in Libya had been visiting detention camps to identify Nigerians for registration.

ITRealms gathered from the ministry that registered Nigerian migrants were issued Emergency Travel Certificates to facilitate their repatriation.

Also, Elias-Fatiile explained that the embassy in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IMO) had repatriated 250 migrants weekly and had returned 3,000 who are now on the Nigerian soil.

“From the 2,778 registered Nigerians who are still in detention camps, another set of 250 Nigerian migrants will be arriving on Tuesday December 5, at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos at 7.00.p.m. to be received by NEMA officials.

“The Embassy, in collaboration with the IOM repatriates 250 Nigerian migrants by flight to Lagos weekly, each flight can accommodate only 250 passengers. The repatriation is a continuous exercise and the Embassy routinely issues the requisite travel documents to the migrants.

Maintaining that “The Embassy will continue to engage the legitimate government in Libya and other stakeholders in addressing the plight of Nigerian migrants in that country” and that the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, had invited the Nigerian Embassy’s Head of Mission, Iliya Fachano, to Abuja for consultations.

“He is in Abuja already and during the period of the consultations; arrangements have been made for him to address press conferences on the issue. This would afford the Nigerian public the opportunity to hear from him directly,” part of a press statement by Ministry read.

They urged citizens to reach the Nigerian Embassy in Libya for assistance should they need one via these emergency numbers: +218910144487, +218925099384 and +218917953365.
In addition, Fatiile said, the contact email addresses for the embassy and the ministry include “nigeria@nigeriantripoli.org and help@foreignaffairs.gov.ng.”

Condemning the slave market in Libya, the ministry disclosed it would engage the UN, African Union, European Union and other stakeholders to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.


“It violates the fundamental human rights of the victims and it is unacceptable to the civilised world,” the spokesperson concluded.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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