NiDCOM Chair Abike Dabiri-Erewa Responds To Viral Video Of Nigerians Detained In Libya

NiDCOM Chair Abike Dabiri-Erewa Responds To Viral Video Of Nigerians Detained In Libya

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has responded to a recent viral video showing Nigerians stranded in Libya.

In her video statement, Dabiri-Erewa recounted her efforts under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, where she advocated for a large-scale evacuation of Nigerians stuck in Libya. Buhari approved the request, and a high-level delegation was dispatched to Libya to assist in the evacuation from detention centers.

During her visit to these centers, Dabiri-Erewa described witnessing some of the most distressing conditions, including a case where a Nigerian had been raped and forced to undergo an abortion.

Nearly 10,000 Nigerians were successfully rescued and brought back to Nigeria as a result of these efforts. Despite these evacuations, many of those rescued attempt to return to Libya. An Al Jazeera documentary supports Dabiri-Erewa’s claims, noting that up to 45 percent of evacuated Nigerians try to return after being rescued.

Dabiri-Erewa also highlighted ongoing evacuation efforts by the International Organisation for Migration, which has facilitated around 3,000 migrants’ return on approximately 15 flights between January and September of this year.

Despite these measures, Dabiri-Erewa lamented that Nigerians continue to undertake perilous journeys through Libya. She has repeatedly warned about the risks of illegal migration but these warnings often go unheeded.

She urged for information about the location of the cell where the Nigerians in the viral video are held, to facilitate their rescue. Dabiri-Erewa also called for greater awareness about human traffickers who exploit migrants, stressing the heavy costs paid by those seeking to migrate through dangerous routes.