Libyan authorities have deported 80 Nigerian nationals as part of a renewed operation to curb irregular migration and reduce congestion in the country’s overcrowded detention centres.
The repatriation, coordinated by the Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM) in partnership with the Nigerian Consulate in Tripoli, took place on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, through Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli.
According to Migrant Rescue Watch, a group that monitors the welfare of migrants and human rights conditions in Libya, the deportation followed orders issued by the Libyan Judicial Police.
“The Nigerians were detained at different facilities across the country before being transferred to Tripoli under tight security for their scheduled flight home,” the organisation said.
Migrant Rescue Watch added that officials from the Nigerian Consulate worked closely with Libyan authorities to document the deportees and ensure they received consular support prior to departure.
The 80 Nigerians are among hundreds of African migrants currently held in Libya after failed attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe through irregular routes.
A Persistent Migration Challenge
Libya remains a key transit hub for thousands of migrants escaping poverty, political instability, and armed conflict in sub-Saharan Africa. Many risk perilous journeys across the desert and the sea in search of better opportunities.
However, international and regional organisations have repeatedly raised alarm over the dire conditions in Libyan detention centres, citing overcrowding, poor sanitation, and reports of abuse and exploitation.
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Human rights advocates continue to urge African and European governments to invest in safe migration pathways and address the root causes—such as unemployment, insecurity, and poor governance—that push people to migrate irregularly.
Diplomatic Efforts Underway
The latest deportation underscores Libya’s intensified efforts to manage migrant flows amid growing international scrutiny.
Both Nigeria and Libya are said to be working through diplomatic channels to ensure that stranded nationals are repatriated safely and reintegrated into their home communities.
