Libya repatriates 80 Nigerians amid crackdown on irregular migration

Libyan authorities have repatriated 80 Nigerian nationals who were detained in various holding centres across the country, as part of an ongoing operation to curb irregular migration and decongest detention facilities.

The repatriation exercise was jointly coordinated by Libya’s Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM) and the Nigerian Consulate in Tripoli. According to officials, the migrants were flown out of Libya via Mitiga International Airport on Wednesday, marking another phase in the country’s efforts to manage its migrant population.

Migrant Rescue Watch, an organisation that monitors migrant welfare and human rights issues in Libya, confirmed the development, noting that the deportation was carried out following directives from the Libyan Judicial Police.

In a post shared on X on Wednesday, the group stated, “Judicial Police Dept. on orders of Public Prosecutor’s Office transferred a group of undocumented migrant females of Nigerian nationality to DCIM custody in Tripoli. All females were served with judicial deportation order and are awaiting deportation.”

The organisation added that the latest group of returnees included some migrants previously transferred under judicial orders.

“#Libya 11.11.25 – DCIM with Nigerian consular support, repatriated 80 migrants of Nigerian nationality via Mitiga Int. Airport in Tripoli. The group includes migrants transferred by the Judicial Police who were served with judicial deportation order,” the statement read.

The deportation is part of renewed collaborative efforts between Libyan authorities and diplomatic missions to address the presence of undocumented migrants and improve conditions in the country’s overcrowded detention facilities.