***Moves to Protect Citizens from Trafficking, Slavery, and Human Rights Abuses
The Nigerian Senate has asked the Federal Government to initiate urgent diplomatic and humanitarian action to repatriate Nigerian women and children currently languishing in Libyan prisons.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Aniekan Etim Bassey (APC–Akwa Ibom South) on the urgent need to protect Nigerians from trafficking, slavery, and human rights abuses in Libya.
During deliberations, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) moved an additional prayer urging the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Correctional Service to collaborate with their Libyan counterparts to facilitate the safe return of Nigerian female inmates and their children born in detention. The motion, seconded by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, was unanimously adopted.
“Many of these women were victims of human trafficking who escaped forced prostitution and captivity, only to end up behind bars,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said.
“While in detention, several suffered sexual assault by prison officials, resulting in pregnancies. Their children must not be condemned to a life of neglect for circumstances beyond their control.”
Presenting the motion earlier, Senator Bassey expressed deep concern over the increasing trend of irregular migration through Libya—a route that has exposed thousands of Nigerians to grave dangers, including human trafficking, slavery, extortion, and physical abuse.
He cited recent reports showing that nearly 1,000 Nigerians were repatriated from Libya in the first quarter of 2025, with many survivors recounting horrific experiences of torture, sexual abuse, and forced labor.
“A young woman, Mercy Olugbenga, sold her family’s property to travel to Libya, only to be held captive for over a year, during which her blood was repeatedly drained against her will,” he narrated. “It is a chilling reminder of modern-day slavery.”
The Senate noted findings by Amnesty International and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which document recurring cases of arbitrary detention, rape, forced labor, and killings of African migrants in Libyan detention facilities run by both state and non-state actors.
Following extensive debate, the Senate resolved to urge the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and NAPTIP, to establish a comprehensive reintegration and protection programme for Nigerian returnees, including psychosocial support, vocational training, and business start-up assistance.
Intensify diplomatic engagement with Libyan authorities and work with the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the United Nations to ensure the safety of Nigerians in detention and accountability for human rights violations.
Mandate the Committees on Diaspora, Judiciary, Human Rights, and Foreign Affairs to investigate the activities of traffickers and unlicensed travel agents facilitating irregular migration, with a view to strengthening deterrent laws.
An amendment by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) was adopted, directing NAPTIP to play an active role in both repatriation and rehabilitation efforts, and to collaborate with Senate committees in probing trafficking networks.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) also proposed an additional prayer mandating the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and relevant agencies to intensify public sensitization on the dangers of irregular migration, particularly to conflict-prone or unstable regions. The motion was seconded by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) and adopted.
Senator Anthony Ani (Ebonyi South) described the plight of Nigerians in Libya as “a recurring stain on our national conscience,” while Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) condemned the silence of African leaders over abuses by fellow Africans.
“We are members of the African Union, yet Africans are treating other Africans worse than animals,” Umeh said. “The AU must act—no nation should be allowed to get away with such cruelty.”
In his closing remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Senator Bassey for raising the motion and directed the Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor its implementation.
“To Nigerian youths,” Akpabio cautioned, “remember—home is home. Many who leave in search of greener pastures end up in suffering. May God guide and protect Nigerians everywhere.”