Senate urges Nigerian govt to secure release of citizens in Libyan detention

The Senate on Tuesday passed a resolution calling on the federal government to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure the release and safety of Nigerians currently detained in Libya.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Bassey Etim (PDP, Akwa Ibom North-East), who decried the plight of thousands of Nigerians illegally migrating to Libya and facing severe human rights abuses.

The upper chamber urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deepen engagement with Libyan authorities and mobilise collective regional and international action through the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the United Nations (UN) to protect Nigerians in detention.

While presenting the motion, Mr Etim lamented that many Nigerians who had been repatriated from Libya recounted horrific experiences, including false detention, torture, sexual abuse, extortion, forced labour, and other forms of modern-day slavery.

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He expressed concern that such abuses not only tarnish Nigeria’s international image but also erode citizens’ confidence in the government’s ability to protect them at home and abroad.

The lawmaker urged the Senate to encourage the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and relevant state governments to establish a comprehensive reintegration and protection programme for returnees. This, he said, should include psychosocial support, vocational training, and enterprise start-up assistance.

Mr Etim also called on the Senate Committees on Diaspora, Judiciary, Human Rights, and Foreign Affairs to investigate the activities of traffickers and unlicensed travel agents, with a view to recommending stronger legislative and policy measures to deter such crimes.

Senators’ contributions

In their contributions, many senators expressed strong support for the motion.

Ebonyi South Senator Anthony Ani described Libya as “an epicentre of human rights abuses” and called for urgent government action.

“This has been a recurring issue in our national life. Libya has become an epicenter of human rights abuses. Victims of human trafficking face inhuman treatment, exploitation, and extreme hardship. Their health and well-being are endangered, and they are completely dependent on their traffickers.

“I fully support this motion and urge relevant government agencies to intensify efforts to curb this menace. It has damaged Nigeria’s image, and despite repeated outcries, it continues unabated. Stronger action is required to stop it,” he said.

Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, sympathised with Nigerians trapped in Libya but stressed the need for preventive measures.

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“I am sympathetic to the plight of those trapped in Libya, but we must also act preventively. After the collapse of Gaddafi, Libya became lawless. Nigerians must be informed that, despite our challenges, this country is far better than many of the places they are trafficked to.”

He added that the proliferation of weapons from Libya’s civil war had worsened insecurity in Nigeria, calling for public enlightenment to discourage illegal migration.

“We must educate our people that leaving Nigeria illegally only leads to tragedy. Weapons from Libya’s collapse have also worsened insecurity in Nigeria. While helping those already trapped, we must prevent others from going there,” he said.

Victor Umeh, the senator for Anambra Central Senatorial District, condemned the inhumane treatment of Nigerians across Africa despite the country’s membership in the African Union.

He urged the federal government to use the AU platform to call out and sanction African nations that subject Nigerians to degrading treatment.

“Nigerians have been subjected to inhuman treatment in several African countries, not just Libya. We are members of the African Union, yet Africans are treating fellow Africans worse than animals. There were videos from Libya showing Nigerians being tortured and humiliated. The AU must act.

“The federal government should use the platform of the African Union to call out and sanction African nations that subject Nigerians and other Africans to degrading treatment. We must also warn our citizens against traveling to countries hostile to them.”