FG identifies 2,778 Nigerians in Libya to be repatriated

2,778 Nigerians in Libya are waiting for deportation.

The Federal Government said on Tuesday that 2,778 Nigerian migrants registered in detention camps in Libya are ready for repatriation.

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement by its Spokesperson, Mr. Tiwatope Elias-Fatile said the country’s embassy in Libya had been visiting detention camps to identify Nigerians for registration, adding that those registered were issued Emergency Travel Certificates.

“From the 2,778 registered Nigerians who are still in detention camps, another set of 250 Nigerian migrants will be arriving on Tuesday December 5 via the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, at 7.00pm, to be received by NEMA officials.

“The Embassy, in collaboration with the IOM, repatriates 250 Nigerian migrants by flight to Lagos weekly – each flight can accommodate only 250 passengers,” the ministry said.

According to the ministry, 3,000 Nigerians have been repatriated so far.

“The repatriation is a continuous exercise and the Embassy routinely issues the requisite travel documents to the migrants.

“The Embassy will continue to engage the legitimate government in Libya and other stakeholders in addressing the plight of Nigerian migrants in that country,” it said.

The ministry also said that the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, had invited the Nigerian Embassy’s Head of Mission, Mr. Iliya Fachano, to Abuja for consultations.

“He is in Abuja already and during the period of the consultations, arrangements have been made for him to address press conferences on the issue.This would afford the Nigerian public the opportunity to hear from him directly,” the ministry said.

The ministry, however, warned Nigerians intending to travel to “avoid Libya at this period, because of the dangers they may encounter in the process of their journey”.

Naija News had reported that the ministry provides emergency contacts and email addresses to Nigerians in Libya.