Libya detains 18 Nigerians for deportation

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

Authorities successful Libya person transferred 18 undocumented Nigerian migrants from the Sirte Immigration Detention Centre to the confederate metropolis of Sabha, wherever they are expected to beryllium repatriated successful the coming days.

The improvement was confirmed successful a connection by Migrant Rescue Watch, a humanitarian monitoring group, which said the transportation took spot connected Monday nether the supervision of the Libyan Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM).

According to the group, the migrants were transported by roadworthy successful a security-controlled convoy, marking portion of Libya’s broader strategy to facilitate the instrumentality of overseas nationals without ineligible status.

The migrants, who were being held for attempting to transverse into Europe illegally, volition stay successful the Sabha detention installation until arrangements are concluded for their instrumentality to Nigeria.

Libya continues to service arsenic a large transit constituent for migrants seeking to scope Europe done the Mediterranean Sea, contempt years of governmental instability and equipped conflict.

The country’s detention centers often clasp ample numbers of undocumented migrants awaiting deportation oregon repatriation. International humanitarian groups person repeatedly raised concerns astir overcrowding, mediocre surviving conditions, and maltreatment successful these facilities.

In caller years, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has partnered with Libyan authorities to put voluntary repatriation flights, giving migrants an enactment to instrumentality location safely.

When Vanguard contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs connected Tuesday, the Spokesperson, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, said: “I don’t person immoderate accusation yet astir that.”

Also speaking connected Tuesday, the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of the Nigerians successful Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mr. Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said: “NIDCOM has not been officially briefed connected this.”

The station Libya detains 18 Nigerians for deportation appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.