Amanze Chinonye
Libyan authorities have deported 80 Nigerians detained in various holding facilities across the country, as part of an ongoing crackdown on undocumented migration and efforts to decongest overcrowded detention centres.
The repatriation, conducted on Wednesday, November 11, through Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli, was coordinated by the Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM) in collaboration with the Nigerian Consulate.
Migrant Rescue Watch, an organisation monitoring migrant welfare in Libya, confirmed the operation in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that it was carried out under the directives of the Libyan Judicial Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“Judicial Police Dept., on orders of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, transferred a group of undocumented migrant females of Nigerian nationality to DCIM custody in Tripoli. All females were served with judicial deportation orders and are awaiting deportation,” the group stated earlier.
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Following the exercise, it added: “DCIM, with Nigerian consular support, repatriated 80 migrants of Nigerian nationality via Mitiga Int. Airport in Tripoli. The group includes migrants transferred by the Judicial Police who were served with judicial deportation orders.”
The deportees, including several women, were among many sub-Saharan African migrants detained in Libya for residing in the country without valid documentation. Libyan authorities said the operation was part of broader efforts to enforce immigration laws and reduce pressure on detention facilities.
Libya remains a key transit hub for African migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. However, its detention centres have repeatedly come under scrutiny for alleged human-rights abuses and poor living conditions.
Officials of the Nigerian Consulate in Tripoli were reported to have worked closely with Libyan authorities to ensure the safe return of the deported nationals.
The latest deportation underscores Libya’s intensified crackdown on irregular migration and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Nigerians and other African migrants stranded in the North African country while seeking passage to Europe.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
