The Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM), in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has successfully repatriated more than 150 Nigerian migrants, primarily women and children, from Libya. The repatriation operation was carried out via Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli.

The development was disclosed on Tuesday by Migrant Rescue Watch, an advocacy group, in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter). The statement read, “DCIM repatriated with IOM support over 150 #migrants, mainly women with children of Nigerian nationality via Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli.”

This repatriation comes amid reports of Libyan authorities apprehending four Nigerians in Sabha and Bani Walid on allegations of drug trafficking and testing positive for infectious diseases. The arrests highlight the precarious conditions faced by migrants in Libya, particularly those awaiting repatriation or stranded in detention centers.

The repatriation underscores ongoing efforts by international and regional bodies to address the challenges of illegal migration and provide relief to affected migrants.