More Nigerians Die In Libyan Prisons! One Death, Too Many

For about two decades now, scores of Nigerians have either been reportedly executed or detained in Libya. In fact, the name Libya to Nigerians has become synonymous to execution. Just last month, there were reports from some media, on the arrest of hundreds of Nigerians in Libya for immigration offenses, ranging from overstaying of visits to issues of international passports. These Nigerians along with some other Africans were locked up in different prisons in Libya. Reports reaching relatives back home have it that six among those detained in Torisha Deportation Camp and one in Saba Prison died as a result of exposure to the cold weather, three amongst whom are young girls.

It is mind-boggling that the Nigerian government remains mute on this matter after several calls for her intervention. There is a general notion that the worst any government could do to immigration offenders is repatriation. Unfortunately, this has been bellied by the actions of the Libyan government. Thousands of Nigerians are being incarcerated in Libyan prisons with little or no hope of freedom!

Most Nigerians at home suffer as a result of government’s neglect. Despite the huge resources generated from the sale of crude oil, the country is still faced with chronic poverty, high level of unemployment and absence of basic infrastructure, making the country unlivable for youths, who have resorted to going through the most deadly alternatives for survival!

The 20:20:20 propaganda of the Goodluck Jonathan-led government is far from reality, in the face of severe under funding of all sectors of the economy and their transfer to private profit-driven individuals to manage, while government officials loot from the pool of proceeds.

Institutions closure over poor working environment and poor remuneration for workers has become a plague the masses must live with. In recent time, ethno religious crises, bomb blasts and election related violence are on the rise in Nigeria, a reflection of government’s neglect and failure in leadership. More so, this in a way explains the reason behind the influx of Nigerians into Libya, in spite several reports of incarceration and killings.

While we call on the intervention of the Nigerian government through the Nigerian High Commission in Libya to facilitate the safe return of surviving Nigerians in Libya to their families, we also urge the international community, labour unions, civil society groups and every concerned persons to join in the campaign for the freedom of these hopeless incarcerated Nigerians and other Africans from Libyan prisons.

Culled from http://www.elombah.com/
Written by Adams Makinwa, secretary, DestinyMakers Community Christian Campaigns and Action Network, (DCCCAN) Nigeria