Some Nigerian returnees from Libya
The Federal Government says it has a record of 2,778 Nigerian migrants registered in “accessible” detention camps in Libya, ready for repatriation.
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by
the Spokesperson Mr Tiwatope Elias-Fatiile on Tuesday, said the
country’s embassy in Libya had been visiting detention camps to identify
Nigerians for registration.
The ministry stated that those registered were issued Emergency Travel Certificates.
The ministry also explained that the embassy in collaboration with
the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) repatriates 250
migrants weekly and had returned 3,000 of them so far.
“From the 2,778 registered Nigerians who are still in detention
camps, another set of 250 Nigerian migrants will be arriving on Tuesday
Dec. 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.
“The Embassy will continue to engage the legitimate government
in Libya and other stakeholders in addressing the plight of Nigerian
migrants in that country.”
The Ministry further said that the Foreign Affairs Minister
Geoffrey Onyeama had invited the Nigerian Embassy’s Head of Mission, Mr
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.”
The ministry, however, advised intending Nigerian travellers to “avoid Libya at this period, because of the dangers they may encounter in the process of their journey”.
The ministry also urged citizens to reach the Nigerian Embassy in
Libya for assistance through these emergency numbers: +218910144487,
+218925099384 and +218917953365.
“The contact email addresses for the embassy and the ministry are: nigeria@nigeriantripoli.org and help@foreignaffairs.gov.ng.
It said that the embassy had received requests for intervention
from some relations of the victims based in Nigeria through these
contacts.
While condemning the slave market in Libya, the ministry said 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.”
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