Libya has announced the transfer of 18 undocumented Nigerian migrants from detention to another city in preparation for their deportation. The development was confirmed by Migrant Rescue Watch, a humanitarian monitoring group, which explained that the migrants were moved from the Sirte Immigration Detention Centre to Sabha under strict security supervision.
According to the group, the transfer was organized by the Libyan Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM). The migrants were transported overland in a security convoy, marking another stage in Libya’s effort to return foreign nationals who do not have valid residence papers. Authorities said the repatriation process is aimed at reducing the growing presence of undocumented migrants in the country, many of whom use Libya as a gateway to Europe.
“Eighteen undocumented migrants of Nigerian nationality were moved from Sirte Immigration Detention Centre to Sabha for repatriation,” Migrant Rescue Watch stated in its official report.
Libya continues to play a central role in Africa’s migration crisis, as thousands of migrants, including many Nigerians, attempt to cross the Mediterranean in search of better opportunities in Europe. However, a large number of these migrants are intercepted by authorities and placed in detention centres while awaiting either deportation or voluntary return.
International humanitarian agencies such as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have been working closely with Libyan authorities to arrange repatriation flights. These flights are often offered to migrants who wish to return home but lack the resources to do so on their own. For many Nigerians, repatriation has become the only available option after facing harsh conditions in detention centres and dangerous journeys through the desert and the sea.
The latest transfer of the 18 Nigerians shows the continued coordination between Libya’s DCIM and humanitarian organisations. While authorities argue that these measures are necessary to maintain security and manage irregular migration, critics have often raised concerns about the conditions inside Libyan detention centres, where migrants face overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited access to healthcare.
Nigeria has also been working with international partners to assist its citizens stranded in Libya. In the past, the Nigerian government, through agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has welcomed groups of returnees and provided them with temporary shelter, counselling, and reintegration support.
Why is Libya deporting undocumented Nigerian migrants?
Libya is deporting undocumented Nigerian migrants as part of its wider effort to reduce irregular migration. Many migrants enter the country without valid documents while attempting to reach Europe. Those caught by authorities are usually detained and later repatriated through direct deportation or in cooperation with humanitarian groups.