,couldn't hold back their joy and happiness describing the harsh conditions they went through in Libya detention camps where they were held for slave trading. Treatment of migrants in Libya was heavily criticized by African Leaders and people from other parts of the world. The 144 returnees who touched down on Tuesday, are part of the repatriation programme the Nigeria Government set up. One of the migrants named 'Franklin' told AFP that he was “very, very happy” to return.“It’s good to be home, because I’ve been in hell in the land of Libya. I’ll start a new life in my country,” he said as he waited to be given food.
Nigerians make up the majority of migrants trying to make the illegal crossing into Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. The repatriation programme began nearly a year ago with about 1,300 of Nigerian migrants brought home in November, according to NEMA. Another returnee, name withheld said he had been held in a Libyan detention camp for nearly nine months before he could return home. He said “They were used to carry bombs, ammunition, packing of dead bodies and some other inhumane activities,”. It was also reported that up to 70% of the returnees are from Edo state.
The United Nations has also urged Libya to close down the centers holding about 15,000 migrants, who are still detained in this centers.
No comments:
Post a Comment