Libya repatriates 164 illegal immigrants to Niger

Libya repatriates 164 illegal immigrants to Niger
PHOTO CREDIT: SHIPS & PORTS archive

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Thursday said that 164 illegal immigrants from Niger had been voluntarily deported from Libya to their country.

“Altogether 164 migrants from Niger were able to return home safely via Misurata Airport.

“IOM teams continue to provide much needed assistance to stranded migrants in Libya with support from the EU Trust Fund,” IOM said.

The voluntary repatriation programme is carried out by the IOM with an aim to arrange the return of illegal immigrants stranded in Libya to their respective countries of origin.

Migrant shelters in Libya are crowded with thousands of migrants, who have been rescued at sea or arrested by the Libyan security services.

Libya has become a preferred departure point for illegal immigrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe due to insecurity and chaos in the North African country following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi. 



Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.