Migrants being detained in Libya
The European Union (EU) on Tuesday said no fewer than 11,100 Nigerians, who were among irregular migrants in Libya, had so far returned to the country.
Mr Richard Young, the EU Deputy Head of Delegation in Nigeria, made the disclosure at a Public Lecture and Book Launch to commemorate the 2018 World Day Against Human Trafficking organised by NAPTIP in Abuja.
The United Nations had in 2013 adopted a resolution that every July 30 should be set aside as the World Day Against Human Trafficking.
This is to raise awareness on the situation of victims and for the promotion and protection of their rights.
Young explained that 9,000 Nigerians were brought back to the country by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), while the Federal Government also brought 2,100 in the recent evacuation exercise.
According to him, 57,000 of them are still stranded in various camps in Libya, according to the figures made available by IOM after its survey conducted in various camps.
The EU deputy head of delegation said that the union was working with relevant stakeholders and agencies to ensure that the stranded Nigerians return home.
Young said EU was in partnership with NAPTIP to ensure that human trafficking was defeated.
He called for a joint task force with the International Law Enforcement Agencies for effective war against human trafficking.
In her remarks, the NAPTIP’s Director-General, Ms Julie Okan-Donli, said that the issue of human trafficking should be a concern for every nation as it affected all aspect of human life.
Okah-Donli explained that human trafficking endangered public health, fuels violence and organised crimes.
“We shall be talking about injustice, man’s inhumanity to man, the outrage of human trafficking which must be called by its true name, modern slavery.
“This event is, therefore, a clarion call on us all to deploy all possible strategies to rescue and empower victims of human trafficking.
“This will be done by ensuring that they see and rise beyond the boundaries of uncertainties,” the NAPTIP chief said.
