Libyan authorities have repatriated 80 Nigerians detained in various centres across the country over illegal stay, as part of renewed efforts to control irregular migration and decongest overcrowded detention facilities.
The exercise, conducted on Wednesday through Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli, was coordinated by the Department for Combating Illegal Migration in collaboration with the Nigerian Consulate in Libya.
According to Migrant Rescue Watch, a humanitarian group monitoring migrant rights and welfare in the North African nation, the deportation followed court directives issued by the Libyan Judicial Police.
In a post shared on X, the organisation explained that the Judicial Police Department, acting on the orders of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, transferred several undocumented Nigerian women to the custody of the DCIM ahead of their deportation.
“Judicial Police Dept., on the orders of the 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 orders and are awaiting deportation,” the group stated.
It added that the 80 returnees included migrants who had earlier been moved by the Judicial Police following court-issued deportation directives.
“#Libya 11.11.25 – DCIM, with Nigerian consular support, repatriated 80 migrants of Nigerian nationality via Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli. The group includes migrants transferred by the Judicial Police who were served with judicial deportation orders,” the post added.
The latest deportation comes amid increased collaboration between Libyan authorities and diplomatic missions aimed at addressing the challenges of irregular migration, overcrowding, and human rights concerns in detention centres across the country.
A Libyan migration official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the press, said, “The repatriation is part of our effort to ensure the humane management of migrants and compliance with Libyan immigration laws.”
Similarly, a representative of the Nigerian Consulate in Tripoli confirmed the development, assuring that the government would continue to engage with Libyan authorities to ensure the safety and dignity of Nigerian citizens abroad.
He said, “We are working closely with the Libyan government to ensure that our citizens are treated fairly during the deportation process and that those willing to return home are supported.”
