80 Nigerians Deported from Libya as Country Cracks Down on Illegal Migration
Libyan authorities have deported 80 Nigerian migrants from detention facilities across the country as part of a renewed push to curb irregular migration and decongest overcrowded holding centres.
The operation, coordinated by the Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM) in collaboration with the Nigerian Consulate in Tripoli, was carried out on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, through Mitiga International Airport.
According to Migrant Rescue Watch, an organisation monitoring migrant welfare and human rights in Libya, the deportation followed judicial orders issued by the Libyan Judicial Police.
“The affected Nigerians were previously detained in multiple facilities across the country and later transferred to Tripoli under strict security for their scheduled return flight,” the group confirmed.
The organisation added that Nigerian consular officials worked closely with Libyan authorities to ensure the migrants were properly documented and provided consular assistance before their departure.
The 80 deported migrants are part of the hundreds of African nationals currently held in Libya for attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe through irregular routes.
Libya remains a major transit point for migrants fleeing poverty, armed conflict, and political instability across sub-Saharan Africa in search of better opportunities.
Naija News reports that Human rights organisations have repeatedly criticised the conditions inside Libya’s detention centres, citing overcrowding, poor sanitation, and widespread cases of abuse and exploitation.
These groups have urged African and European governments to prioritise safe migration pathways and address the underlying causes driving irregular migration.
They also warned that the persistent crackdown on migrants without tackling broader socio-economic issues would only lead to repeated cycles of dangerous migration attempts.
The latest deportation comes as Libyan authorities intensify efforts to manage migrant flows amid increasing international scrutiny.
Both Nigeria and Libya continue to work through diplomatic channels to ensure that stranded migrants are safely returned home and reintegrated into their communities.