ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has announced that over 956 Nigerians were rescued and evacuated from Libya in the first quarter of 2025.
The repatriation efforts were facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Nigeria and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI).
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, shared the breakdown of the evacuees, which included 683 females, 132 males, 87 children, and 54 infants.
The returnees were brought back to Nigeria in six separate batches between January and March 2025.
The first evacuation took place on January 28, with 152 Nigerians repatriated.
Additional batches followed on February 11 (145 returnees), February 19 (180 returnees), February 25 (159 returnees), March 4 (144 returnees), and March 18 (176 returnees).
Dabiri-Erewa revealed that over the past few years, the Nigerian government and IOM have facilitated the return of more than 15,000 Nigerians stranded in Libya and other countries.
“Over 15,000 rescued in the last couple of years by the federal government and the IOM,” she noted.
The NIDCOM boss also reiterated the Commission’s ongoing warning to Nigerians against taking irregular and hazardous migration routes, particularly those passing through Libya.
“Because of the delicate political situation in Libya, we consistently caution Nigerians to avoid using Libya as a pathway to Europe, along with other dangerous migration routes,” she stated.
Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians to explore legal and regulated migration options and expressed concern over the tendency of some of the rescued individuals to attempt further perilous journeys into Europe.
She emphasised the Nigerian government’s commitment to protecting the interests, dignity, and fundamental human rights of its citizens both at home and abroad.
The NIDCOM Chairman also called for increased collaboration among government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the media, and other stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns on the dangers of irregular migration.
“Avoid dangerous pathways like Libya. Not worth it at all,” she warned.
Libya remains a major transit hub for migrants attempting to cross into Europe, often facing grave risks such as exploitation, detention, or even death along the way.
