An Ethiopian girl, who was allegedly “sold as a slave” in Libya, has been freed after her family paid a ransom of 700,000 birr (approximately $5,500), according to the BBC.
Naima Jamal’s ordeal came to light after photos and videos of her bound and gagged surfaced on social media, showing her in distressing conditions. Speaking to the BBC, she confirmed that she was released two days ago after her captors took her into the city following the ransom payment.
According to Naima, many migrants are kidnapped under similar circumstances, but only a few manage to secure their release by paying large sums of money. “I’m exhausted and unwell. I don’t know what will happen next. Everything is terrifying, even a simple phone call,” she said, still stranded in Libya.
Migrants Held for Ransom in Libya
Refugees in Libya, an organisation monitoring migrant conditions, reported that Naima and others were kidnapped in the Kufra region, an area controlled by armed groups. Her captors initially demanded $6,000 for her release, sending her family distressing videos of migrants being held in inhumane conditions.
Naima was discovered with her hands and feet tied, and her mouth gagged. Other images depicted severe torture. In the footage sent to her family, around 50 other captives could be seen behind her, all held under similar circumstances.
She left Ethiopia eight months ago, travelling through Addis Ababa, Gondar, and into Libya via the desert. She had been lured by someone she knew, who promised job opportunities in Libya. However, upon arrival, she was confronted by a harsh reality.
During her journey, two Ethiopian men from her group died in the Sahara Desert due to dehydration. Naima recalled how they were too weak to bury them.
Human Trafficking Crisis in Libya
Naima deeply regrets leaving Ethiopia but has no plans to return. “I want to go to another country, God willing,” she said. However, she warned others against taking the same path, urging them to stay home due to the dangers along the route. “There is death. Many of my friends died on the journey,” she added.
Her brother, Iftu Jamal, said their family had received distressing photos and videos from her kidnappers, who threatened to kill or sell her into slavery if they failed to pay the ransom.
Human rights organisations have condemned the international community’s inaction on human trafficking in Libya. They warn that Libya has become a graveyard for African migrants, particularly those fleeing conflict and poverty. Many migrants aim to cross the Mediterranean to Europe but often fall into the hands of traffickers.
In response to the crisis, some displaced migrants have been evacuated from Libyan camps to Rwanda through a UN refugee programme. Since the establishment of a temporary camp in 2019, more than 2,200 migrants have been relocated, with some resettled in host countries.
