On Tuesday, the Libyan Ministry of Interior’s Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency announced the repatriation of 323 Nigerian migrants who entered the country illegally.
The repatriation process was carried out in cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
“On Tuesday, we carried out the repatriation of 163 Nigerian migrants from Maitiga International Airport, including 107 women, 51 men, and five children,” said Colonel Mohamed Bredi’a, the Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency’s official.
“On the same day, an additional 160 Nigerians will be repatriated from Benghazi’s Benina International Airport in the East of the country,” he added.
The migrants, mostly consisting of young women, were gathered in the waiting hall. They were provided with a light meal and received travel permits before boarding buses bound for the airport, according to Independent Arabia news.
As part of an agreement signed by Libyan authorities in the West, South, and East in 2023, the Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency is now responsible for managing deportation operations uniformly.
In 2015, IOM initiated the Voluntary Return program for migrants and refugees wishing to leave Libya.
In this context, 9,370 individuals received assistance from the IOM for voluntary return to their home countries in the previous year, following 11,200 in 2022, according to the IOM’s statics.
Libya is located about 300 kilometers from the Italian coast and divided between competing authorities in the East and West. The country has become a focal point for tens of thousands of migrants seeking to reach Europe via the sea.
Many migrants attempt the perilous journey to Europe from Libyan territory, risking their lives. Meanwhile, thousands have been living in Libya for years in irregular situations, working in agriculture, construction, and trade, particularly around the capital.
IOM reports that data collected by the United Nations between May and June 2023 indicates the presence of over 700,000 migrants on Libyan soil.