“If only I had known this or I had someone to advise me against travelling illegally, I wouldn’t have suffered this way and be scarred for life.”
Some Nigerian migrants who returned from Libya have narrated their ordeals in the North African country, advising citizens to desist from illegal migration.
No less than 162 Nigerian migrants were received by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday in Lagos.
Some of the returnees, who spoke to journalists, narrated the terrible treatment of Nigerians in Libya.
Biodun Okunbanjo, 34, who hails from the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State, said that he almost lost his life after a friend advised him to go through the illegal means to arrive in Libya.
“I was tortured and nearly beaten to death as I couldn’t provide the money my captors demanded. As a result of the torture, I became blind on one side of my eyes.
“My advice to Nigerians who are looking for a better life is for them to look inwards, and if they decide to migrate to another country, it should be done through proper means,” Mr Okubanjo said.
Another returnee, who identified himself as Harrison, said he was promised a better life but only returned to Nigeria with nothing to show for it.
Joy Fred, revealed that she was forced into prostitution by her cousin, who helped get her into Libya.
“On getting to Libya, the whole narrative changed as he said I would have to pay him back the money he spent on my trip there, and that was how he forced me into prostitution.
“I was basically stranded for over three years,” Ms Fred said.
Adeola Akeem, a returnee, advised Nigerians to desist from irregular migration, noting that anybody who wanted to migrate should follow the proper process.
“If only I had known this or I had someone to advise me against travelling illegally, I wouldn’t have suffered this way and be scarred for life,” he said.
However, Stephen Rogers, the Head of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Lagos office, noted that the organisation remained committed to enlightening the public on the dangers of irregular migration.
(NAN)
