Some of the victims
Nigerians who have just returned from the troubled nation of Libya, have recounted the horrors they experienced.
In one month, the Edo State Government has received 1,100 indigenes
who were deported from Libya. They left the state for Europe through
Libya in search of greener pasture. Many of them died on the way, many
others were sold as slaves, while many who were held in Libyan prisons
were severely tortured. Some of the returnees in Benin spoke to Daily
Trust on Sunday about their harrowing experiences.
I was sold for N300,000 - Harrison Okotie (35)
A friend of mine sold the idea of travelling to Europe to me and my
sister, who we travelled together with, assisted me with some money. We
paid the traffickers N600, 000 each to take us to Libya. When we got to
Libya, we were arrested and sold to Arabs at N300,000 each. I never
knew I was being sold because they would tell you that, they were taking
you to cross over to Italy. It is only when you reach their destination
that you would know that you were sold as slave.
From that moment, you would be under his rules and regulations
until you are able to pay double the amount he claimed to have paid for
your freedom. I was tortured daily, they even stabbed me on my back for
not being able to pay a ransom. They will tell you to control your
family at home to bring money, but if the money was not forthcoming you
would face severe torture.
A Nigerian was shot in the presence of our ambassador for
attempting to join the queue to register for deportation. Four people
died in my presence due to torture. Our suffering in the hands of the
Arab increased when we started telling the United Nations that we wanted
to go home. The Arabs would always ask us to tell the UN that we needed
food and clothes but we would tell them that we wanted to go home due
to the way and manner we were being tortured. By the time the UN
personnel leave, it would be 24 hours torture and we would be denied the
loaf of bread we were given each. Even if I am given the opportunity
again, I will never go to any Arab country. I left my wife and two
children here in search of a greener pasture only to face torture.
I was shot for attempting to register for deportation - Amos Oghogho (25)
I left Benin on June 24 this year and within a week I was in Libya.
While there, I was working in a car wash in Saba city. My suffering
started when I had to leave for Subuata town because of too many
kidnappings and slavery. As soon as I got to Subuata, war broke out
between militants. As I was going to work, the police arrested me and
took me to prison. Nigerians at the prison were more than 1,000, and
because of the number, we were moved to a prison in the desert. There
they used to drug our food because as soon as you eat that food, you go
to sleep immediately. For the three months I stayed in prison I never
had a bath. They were using us to trade because as soon as they release
you after paying ransom, another group would arrest you and the torture
continued. All the months I spent in prison, it was only macaroni they
fed us and it was once a day. I was shot while trying to register to be
deported back to Nigeria. When I wanted to join the queue, the police
asked me to go back, but as I was explaining to him my intention,
another one shot me on the hand. They later took me to a hospital where
they performed surgery on the hand. I can never advise anybody to go to
Libya.
I saw my twin brother shot dead for not being able to pay ransom - Abel Osifo Christopher (36)
My destination was Italy and not Libya but I was not able to cross
before we were bundled into prison. The journey cost me N680,000. I sold
my car to raise the money and move on June 13, this year. My experience
in Libya was disastrous and painful: life there was full of agony and
sorrow and to worsen it, I lost my twin brother there. They shot him
because we could not pay the ransom on time.
When they kidnapped us, they asked us to pay 5000 dinar (N500,
000). However, before we could raise the money from Nigeria, they shot
and killed him. Many Nigerians died in Libya. I regretted going to Libya
and can’t even advise anybody to go.
I regret going to Libya - Abieyuwe Igue (24)
I left Nigeria last year not knowing that I was pregnant. I spent
one year four months and my baby is 10 months old now. My intention was
to go to Europe through Libya but I was not able to cross before we were
caught. I paid N400,000 to get to Libya. I was a stylist here but
decided to go to Europe for a greener pasture.
I was beaten severally for no just cause, but never sexually
assaulted. I will never go to Libya again because it is too risky and I
regret going there.
I’m happy to be home Josphine - Ajagbor (33)
I left with my son of three years to Libya in June this year. When
they arrested us they took us to prison and we were living on macaroni
and bread daily. The food was cooked without salt and pepper and we only
ate twice a day. My son had to get used to the suffering too. I was a
caterer before I left Nigeria.
***
Culled from Daily Trust
0 comments:
Post a Comment