Another set of Nigerians numbering 164 (158 males and 6
females) returned to the country from Libya in the early hours
of Friday, December 8th, 2017.
The returnees, who left the country through irregular travel
routes and mostly through human trafficking voluntarily
returned to the country and were received by the National
Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP),
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigerian
Immigration Services (NIS) and International Organization for
Migration (IOM).
The newest set of returnees landed at the Cargo Wing of the
Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) aboard a
Libyan registered aircraft at about 12.40am.
Some of the returnees recounted the horrible experiences they
encountered while crossing the Sahara Desert and the
Mediterranean Sea.
One of them, Keshi Emmanuel, who was going to Italy and had
to pass through Libya said he thought Libya is the fastest
means to cross to Europe but he was mistaken.
“I left just to make a change of life. I was hoping to pass
Libya to Europe. I was going to Italy to do my welding work.
I dropped out from school. I thought going through Libya is
the only fast way I can make it. I am not fully happy to be
back in Nigeria because I lost some money which I used in
processing my travelling.” Emmanuel narrated.
Obi Emeka Reuben, who left the shores of the country because
he had no one to sponsor him to school revealed how he
escaped death on the Mediterranean Sea and had to spend six
months in a Libyan prison.
“I left Nigeria because I had no sponsor to go back to
school after my National Diploma (ND). My mother, who could
have helped me died due to a stomach problem. I had no other
means and I decided to use the little money I saved to travel
through the land. I left with no place in mind; I was looking
at Germany or Italy to do any work I see.”
“There is plenty of stress and disaster while travelling to
Libya. My boat capsized and many people were carried away by
water. I was one of the people rescued by local fishermen
and was later arrested. I was in prison for six months in
Libya before being taken to a deportation camp.”
Joseph Famakin, Ikeja Zonal commander of NAPTIP asserted
that many Nigerians who are leaving the country in search of
opportunities are chasing a mirage adding that people die on a
daily basis while crossing the Sahara Desert and the
Mediterranean Sea as a result of irregular migration. He also
advised Nigerians to make use of legal and regular migrations
when leaving the country.
“These people (164 returnees) left Nigeria believing that it
is greener over there and a lot of them were deceived to
embark on a journey to an unknown world. This journey is not
one that is advisable for any human being because passing
through the Sahara Desert and arriving at Libya, there are so
many gangs waiting to make life uncomfortable for the
people.”
“In our effort to prevent and rescue Nigerians, who have
embarked on this journey, we partner with IOM and other
foreign bodies to bring them back home. I would advise
Nigerians not to embark on a journey to a country where you
have no document and free will. Our people should get the
normal and appropriate documents whenever they want to travel
out.” Mr. Famakin said
Mr. Yakubu Suleiman, South West Zonal Coordinator of NEMA,
who came to receive the returnees on behalf of the Director
General of NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja, in his words, also
beseeched the returnees to remain in Nigeria and maximally
utilize their stay in the country.
He said, “These people travelled to Libya, illegally and they
are being returned back to their country. They would be
rehabilitated and engaged in entrepreneurship activities. We 'll
ensure that they don’t go back to where they came from and
I am advising them to remain in this country and let us
change it together. Those that are lucky to come back have a
second chance and they should use it maximally.”
The returnees were profiled upon return by different agencies
that came to receive them and transported to different
shelters where they would be rehabilitated before being
allowed to return to their different homes.
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