Libya Deports 80 Nigerians In Ongoing Crackdown On Irregular Migration

Christogonus Iheanyi November 13, 2025 0

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Libyan authorities have deported 80 Nigerian migrants from detention centres across the country, as part of a renewed push to tackle irregular migration and ease overcrowding in holding facilities.

The operation, coordinated by the Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM) in collaboration with the Nigerian Consulate in Tripoli, took place on Wednesday through Mitiga International Airport.

According to Migrant Rescue Watch, an organisation monitoring migrant welfare in Libya, the deportation followed judicial orders issued by the Libyan Judicial Police.

“The affected Nigerians were previously detained in multiple facilities across the country and later transferred to Tripoli under strict security for their scheduled return flight,” the group confirmed.

Nigerian consular officials were on hand to ensure that the migrants were properly documented and received necessary consular support prior to departure.

Libya as a Transit Point for Migrants

The 80 deported Nigerians are part of the hundreds of African nationals currently held in Libya after attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe via irregular routes.

Libya remains a major transit hub for migrants fleeing poverty, conflict, and political instability in sub-Saharan Africa, seeking better economic opportunities abroad.

However, human rights organisations have repeatedly criticised the conditions in Libya’s detention centres, citing overcrowding, poor sanitation, and cases of abuse and exploitation.

These groups have called on African and European governments to prioritise safe migration pathways and to address the root causes driving irregular migration. They warn that enforcement without broader socio-economic solutions only perpetuates dangerous migration cycles.

Diplomatic Cooperation

The latest deportation comes amid heightened efforts by Libyan authorities to regulate migrant flows, under growing international scrutiny.

Both Nigeria and Libya continue to engage through diplomatic channels to ensure the safe return of stranded migrants and their reintegration into local communities.

“The cooperation between Nigerian consular officials and Libyan authorities is critical to safeguard the welfare of our citizens abroad,” a source familiar with the operation told Naija News.