The Federal Government has disclosed that a total of 2,778
Nigerian migrants are being held in various detention camps in Libya, reports ITRealms.
According to the spokesperson to the Federal Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Tiwatope Elias-Fatiile, on Tuesday, said Nigerian embassy in
Libya had been visiting detention camps to identify Nigerians for registration.
ITRealms gathered
from the ministry that registered Nigerian migrants were issued Emergency
Travel Certificates to facilitate their repatriation.
Also, Elias-Fatiile explained that the embassy in
collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IMO) had
repatriated 250 migrants weekly and had returned 3,000 who are now on the
Nigerian soil.
“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, at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos at 7.00.p.m. 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 repatriation is a continuous exercise and the Embassy
routinely issues the requisite travel documents to the migrants.
Maintaining that “The Embassy will continue to engage the
legitimate government in Libya and other stakeholders in addressing the plight
of Nigerian migrants in that country” and that the Foreign Affairs Minister,
Geoffrey Onyeama, had invited the Nigerian Embassy’s Head of Mission, 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,” part of a press statement by Ministry read.
They urged citizens to reach the Nigerian Embassy in Libya
for assistance should they need one via these emergency numbers: +218910144487,
+218925099384 and +218917953365.
In addition, Fatiile said, the contact email addresses for
the embassy and the ministry include “nigeria@nigeriantripoli.org and help@foreignaffairs.gov.ng.”
Condemning the slave market in Libya, the ministry disclosed
it would engage the UN, African Union, European Union and other stakeholders to
ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.
“It violates the fundamental human rights of the victims and
it is unacceptable to the civilised world,” the spokesperson concluded.
Ayo Midele/GEE
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