The Senate, on Tuesday, the 13th of October, 2025, called on the Federal Government to work with the United Nations and Libyan authorities to ensure the immediate repatriation of hundreds of Nigerian women and children held in Libyan prisons.
Lawmakers also urged tighter border surveillance across Nigeria to reduce irregular migration, especially from states like Edo, where trafficking rings deceive young people with promises of wealth and better opportunities abroad.
They further pushed for stronger diplomatic relations with Libya and regional cooperation through the African Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations to secure justice and protection for Nigerians trapped in Libyan detention.
These resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Aniekan Bassey (APC, Cross River South), who drew attention to the ongoing cases of trafficking, slavery, and severe human rights violations faced by Nigerian migrants in Libya, a country long known as a deadly route for those seeking to reach Europe illegally.
While presenting his motion, Senator Bassey described Libya as “a corridor of death and despair” for many Nigerians deceived by human traffickers.
He referenced reports showing that about 1,000 Nigerians were repatriated from Libya in the first quarter of 2025, with many victims recounting horrifying experiences of torture, sexual assault, and forced labour.
He added: “One survivor, Mercy Olugbenga, sold her family’s property to fund her trip to Libya, only to be held captive for over a year while her blood was repeatedly drained against her will.
“It is a chilling reminder that slavery still exists in our time.”
Contributing to the motion, Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South) and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) described the situation as “modern-day slavery” and called for swift diplomatic measures to bring the victims back home.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also proposed an additional prayer directing the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Correctional Service to liaise with Libyan authorities to fast-track the release and repatriation of Nigerian women and their children born in prison.
She condemned the abuse suffered by many of the victims, most of whom were misled with fake job offers but ended up trafficked and later jailed after escaping forced prostitution.
“Pregnant women and nursing mothers are among those arrested in house raids by Libyan security forces,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said, referring to a viral September 2025 video showing terrified Nigerian women hiding in Tripoli and pleading for help.
“These women were victims twice over, first of traffickers, then of a broken system. Several were sexually assaulted in detention, leading to pregnancies. Their children, born behind bars, must not suffer for crimes they did not commit,” she added.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) suggested an amendment calling on the National Orientation Agency and other relevant bodies to intensify awareness campaigns about the dangers of irregular migration. Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North) seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted.
“Nigerians have no business being in Libya. We need to start educating and discouraging Nigerians that there is no greener pasture in that country,” Oshiomhole warned.
Senator Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South) described the situation as “a stain on our national conscience,” while Senator Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central) condemned the silence of African leaders.
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“We are members of the African Union, yet Africans are treating fellow Africans worse than animals.
“The AU must act. No country should be allowed to get away with such cruelty,” Umeh stated.
The Senate cited reports from Amnesty International and the International Organisation for Migration exposing widespread abuses, including rape, killings, and arbitrary detentions in both state-run and militia-controlled centres across Libya.
It further directed its Committees on Diaspora, Judiciary, Human Rights, and Foreign Affairs to probe human trafficking networks and unregistered travel agents enabling illegal migration, with a mandate to recommend stricter laws and enforcement.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised Senator Bassey for bringing up the issue and charged the Committee on Legislative Compliance to oversee the execution of the resolutions.
He warned Nigerian youths against embarking on risky migration journeys, saying: “Home is home. Many who leave in search of greener pastures only find pain abroad. Let us build our nation together, for there is no greater pride than being safe and free in one’s homeland.”