Senate seeks rescue of Nigerian women, children in Libyan prisons

By John Alechenu, Abuja

The Senate has called connected the Federal Government to instrumentality contiguous steps to rescue and repatriate hundreds of Nigerian women and children reportedly detained successful prisons crossed Libya.

This followed the unanimous adoption of a question sponsored by Senator Asuquo Bassey (Cross River South), which described the concern of Nigerian detainees successful Libya arsenic a signifier of modern-day slavery.

Presenting the motion, Senator Bassey expressed heavy interest implicit the continued dangers of irregular migration done Libya, which helium described arsenic “a corridor of decease and despair” for galore Nigerians seeking to scope Europe.

He cited reports indicating that astir 1,000 Nigerians were repatriated from Libya successful the archetypal 4th of 2025, galore of whom recounted experiences of abuse, forced labour, and inhumane treatment.

While adopting the prayers successful the motion, the Senate urged the Federal Government to initiate urgent diplomatic and humanitarian measures to unafraid the merchandise and harmless instrumentality of affected Nigerians.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) moved an further supplication calling connected the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to collaborate with Libyan authorities to expedite the merchandise of detained Nigerian women and their children calved successful custody.

Her proposal, seconded by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, was unanimously approved. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan noted that galore of the women were victims of quality trafficking and exploitation.

“These women were deceived by traffickers and ended up arsenic victims of aggregate abuses,” she said, adding that their children “should not person to endure for circumstances beyond their control.”

The Senate besides referenced reports by Amnesty International and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) documenting wide quality rights violations successful Libyan detention facilities.

Following an extended debate, the Senate urged the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs, and NAPTIP to make a broad reintegration and extortion programme for returnees, including psychosocial support, vocational training, and economical empowerment initiatives.

Lawmakers besides called for stronger diplomatic engagement with Libyan authorities and collaboration with ECOWAS, the African Union (AU), and the United Nations (UN) to guarantee the extortion of Nigerians and accountability for quality rights violations.

Additionally, the Senate Committees connected Diaspora, Judiciary, Human Rights, and Foreign Affairs were mandated to analyse quality trafficking networks and unlicensed question agents aiding irregular migration.

An amendment by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) directed NAPTIP to instrumentality an progressive relation successful the repatriation and rehabilitation processes, portion Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) projected a nationalist sensitization run done the National Orientation Agency (NOA) connected the dangers of irregular migration. Both motions were adopted.

Senator Anthony Ani (Ebonyi South) described the plight of Nigerians successful Libya arsenic “a motivation situation that requires urgent action,” portion Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) urged African leaders to talk retired against abuses occurring connected the continent.

In his closing remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Senator Bassey for raising the question and directed the Committee connected Legislative Compliance to show implementation of the resolutions.

Addressing Nigerian youths, Akpabio advised against embarking connected irregular migration, saying, “Many who permission successful hunt of greener pastures often brushwood hardship abroad. Let america enactment unneurotic to physique a federation wherever our radical tin thrive successful dignity and safety.”

The station Senate seeks rescue of Nigerian women, children successful Libyan prisons appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.