A young Nigerian rescued from Libya, Mercy Oluwagbenga, has urged youths to avoid irregular migration, warning that dangerous travel routes could lead to slavery, abuse, or even death.
This was according to a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NIDCOM on Wednesday, obtained by AljazirahNigeria.
Oluwagbenga, who was received in Abuja by the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, narrated her ordeal and appealed to young Nigerians never to embark on irregular migration.
She explained that she dropped out of school in 2018 at 300 Level due to financial challenges and was lured to Libya at the age of 20 with the promise of greener pastures to care for her sick mother. Instead, she was trapped in modern-day slavery, forced to work without pay, and subjected to abuse.
“For one year and six months, I worked without receiving a kobo, because I had to pay the Agent who took me to Libya the sum of about two and a half million naira. I was maltreated, I changed jobs, and at one point, locked up in a house where my blood was drawn without my consent,” she recalled tearfully.
Oluwagbenga, an indigene of Kabba in Kogi State, lamented that Nigerians in her situation were “treated like animals,” stressing that she was fortunate to have escaped into a camp before her rescue. She expressed appreciation to NIDCOM and Dr. Segun Abraham of Trinity Foundation for facilitating her return.
“I don’t want any young girl or boy to go through what I went through. Please don’t follow this route,” she pleaded, while also calling for assistance to return to school.
In her remarks, Dabiri-Erewa described Mercy as “one of the lucky ones,” stressing that many victims of irregular migration never make it back alive. She said some die in the desert, others drown in the Mediterranean Sea, while many remain untraceable.
The NIDCOM boss reiterated that irregular migration amounts to “voluntary suicide” and cautioned Nigerian youths to always seek safe and legal means of travel.
She further assured that NIDCOM will support Mercy’s rehabilitation while working with partners to curb human trafficking and illegal migration.
Dabiri-Erewa also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing NELFUND, which she said will help Nigerians like Mercy to complete their education without dropping out for lack of funds.
