Libya Deports 172 Nigerians

Libya has deported 172 Nigerians due to immigration related offences.

Migrants hold their emergency certificates at the Metiga Airport in the Libyan capital Tripoli on March 11, 2016 ahead of their repatriation to their countries of origin by the Libyan authorities.
The formalities for their departure were organised by the Libyan authorities and the mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Before embarking, their personal belongings, which were confiscated at the time of their arrest, were returned alongside a boarding pass. / AFP / MAHMUD TURKIA

The deportation came barely four months after about 76 Nigerians were deported from three European countries including United Kingdom.

The Guardian learnt that the affected deportees arrived the Hajj Camp of the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, about 7 a.m. yesterday.

The deportees comprised 166 males and six females and were brought into the country on a chartered flight.

The Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. Ekpedeme King, confirmed the development.

The deportees were received by various agencies such as the NIS that checked their identities to ascertain their nationalities, the Police and National Agency for Protection and Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

King stated that the deportees were repatriated to the country for allegedly overstaying in Libya and for other immigration offences in the North African country.

“What I can tell you is that some Nigerians were deported yesterday for immigration offences. Most of those brought overstayed in Libya,” he said.

Libya Deports 172 Nigerians