The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) is currently investigating reports of Nigerians stranded in Libya, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of NIDCOM.
The statement responded to a viral video showing Nigerians in distress in Libya, calling for assistance to return home. NIDCOM noted that a large-scale evacuation of over 10,000 Nigerians from Libya was previously conducted a few years ago, following a directive by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and approved by the then President. A coalition of multi-agency teams was established to facilitate the evacuation of stranded Nigerians.
The statement reiterated a longstanding warning from Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, urging Nigerians to avoid dangerous migration routes, a warning that has repeatedly gone unheeded. Despite these efforts, more Nigerians continue to return to Libya and find themselves stranded.
NIDCOM acknowledged the ongoing support of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, which has played a critical role in evacuating stranded Nigerians. In the past few months, the IOM has facilitated the return of many Nigerians from Libya.
The statement further mentioned that the video has been forwarded to the office of the National Security Adviser, who heads the multi-agency evacuation team, as well as the IOM, which has successfully rescued thousands of stranded individuals. It was highlighted that the IOM and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons have evacuated 2,467 Nigerians from Libya on 15 flights between January and September 2024.
NIDCOM reiterated the urgent need for Nigerians to avoid perilous migration routes and emphasized the importance of holding traffickers accountable. The commission called for the arrest, naming, and shaming of those responsible for trafficking these individuals.
