In a significant move on Tuesday, Libyan authorities deported over 150 Nigerian women and children as part of a United Nations-backed “voluntary return” program aimed at addressing irregular migration. According to sources from both Libyan immigration officials and the UN, a total of 160 women and 17 children were part of this group.
These migrants were primarily women accompanied by children, gathered at a detention center in Tripoli before being transported by bus to Mitiga Airport for their return flight. Many of them were seen wearing black tracksuits, a somber reminder of their difficult journey through Libya, a notorious departure point for migrants attempting perilous sea crossings to Europe.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), which coordinates repatriation efforts, confirmed the deportation. IOM sources also noted that additional repatriation flights are planned from Tripoli and Benghazi this week, targeting groups of Bangladeshi, Gambian, and Malian migrants.
Libya has become a hub for human trafficking in recent years, largely due to the instability that followed the 2011 overthrow of leader Moamer Kadhafi. This chaos has made the country a dangerous hotspot for migrants seeking to reach Europe, with smugglers and traffickers often exploiting vulnerable individuals. According to the IOM, over 700,000 migrants are currently residing in Libya, although Libyan officials suggest the actual number may be much higher, with estimates reaching up to four million.
The growing migrant crisis has raised concerns within Libya, with Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi emphasizing that the country cannot shoulder the burden of illegal immigration alone. He assured that Libya will not allow itself to become a permanent settlement zone for migrants.
