Nigeria evacuates 956 citizens from Libya in Q1 of 2025 – NIDCOM
The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has revealed that over 956 Nigerians were evacuated from Libya between January and March 2025, with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI).
According to a statement from NIDCOM, the evacuees included 683 females, 132 males, 87 children, and 54 infants. They were repatriated in six batches: 152 on January 28, 145 on February 11, 180 on February 19, 159 on February 25, 144 on March 4, and 176 on March 18.
She noted that in recent years, over 15,000 stranded Nigerians have been brought back home through the efforts of the Federal Government and international organizations.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated the Commission’s warning against using Libya and other irregular migration routes to Europe, emphasizing the dangers posed by Libya’s ongoing political instability.
“Because of the delicate political situation in Libya, we repeatedly caution Nigerians against using Libya as a pathway to Europe, as well as other dangerous migration routes,” she said.
She further urged Nigerians to follow legal and regular migration channels, expressing concern that some returnees often attempt to re-enter Libya or take even riskier routes to reach Europe.
Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of Nigerians both at home and abroad.
She called for greater collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, the media, and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the dangers of irregular migration.
