More than 950 Nigerians have been brought back to the country after being rescued from prisons in Libya in the first three months of this year, according to Nigeria’s diaspora agency.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said 956 citizens were evacuated between January and March 2025, with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria and the National Commission For Refugees Migrants And Internally Displaced Persons Offices (NCRMI).
Of those repatriated, 683 were women, 132 were men, and there were 87 children and 54 infants.
A statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit at NiDCOM, says the returnees were brought back to Nigeria in six separate flights, with the highest numbers arriving in February and March.
NiDCOM, led by its Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has repeatedly warned Nigerians against using dangerous migration routes, particularly Libya, which it describes as a war-torn country facing significant challenges.
“Because of the delicate political situation in Libya, we countlessly caution Nigerians to avoid Libya as a pathway to Europe; not just Libya but other irregular routes,” Ms. Dabiri-Erewa stated.
She urged Nigerians to pursue legal and regular channels for migration. Her comments come despite reports that some Nigerians rescued from Libya have attempted to return there or embark on even more perilous journeys to reach Europe.
NiDCOM said that over the past few years, more than 15,000 stranded Nigerians have been brought back home by the Nigerian government and the International Organization for Migration.
Ms. Dabiri-Erewa stressed that the Nigerian government remains committed to upholding the rights and dignity of its citizens, both at home and abroad. She called for collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, the media, and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the dangers of irregular migration.
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