ICYMI: NIDCOM RESPONDS TO VIRAL VIDEO OF STRANDED NIGERIANS IN LIBYA
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) says its attention has been drawn to another viral video showing some Nigerians stranded in Libya and calling for help to be evacuated back home.
NiDCOM states that while the video will be looked into, it is worth noting that over 10,000 Nigerians were evacuated from Libya a few years ago, based on a memo by Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, approved by the then President and a coalition of multi-agency team set up to evacuate all Nigerians stranded in Libya.
The Agency adds that there was a clear warning by Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa to Nigerians to desist from that dangerous path but the warning was not yielded to.
In the last couple of months, it was reported that more Nigerians have been brought back from Libya, thanks to the efforts of the International Organisation for Migration in Nigeria, which has been regularly evacuating Nigerians stranded in Libya back home.
Sadly, many Nigerians continue to return to Libya and find themselves stranded again.
NiDCOM notes that the video has been brought to the attention of the office of the National Security Adviser who heads the multi-agency evacuation team, as well as to the International Organisation for Migration, IOM who has also rescued thousands stranded.
Both the IOM and National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons have had cause to evacuate 2,467 Nigerians from Libya in 15 flights from January to September 2024.
However, NiDCOM warns again that deadly pathways to migration must be avoided, and traffickers who traffick these victims need to be arrested, named, and shamed.