Libya Returnee Warn Nigerians Say Make Dem No Do Risky Japa

A Nigerian woman wey dem rescue from Libya don beg young people make dem no dey do irregular migration because the journey dey expose dem to abuse, exploitation, and even death. Mercy Oluwagbenga, wey go viral after dem post video appeal for help, don recount her ordeal to Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for Abuja. “Whatever your situation be, no travel through dangerous routes,” She talk say na so dem carry sweet mouth take deceive her go Libya, promise her better life, after she commot for university at age 20 to take care of her sick mama. Instead of green pasture, she enter modern slavery, she work one year plus without pay to settle the ₦2.5 million (around $1,600) debt wey she owe the agent wey traffic am, dey suffer ill‑treatment, change jobs many times, and one time, dem even lock her inside house and dem draw blood from her without her permission.

Oluwagbenga wey be indigene of Kabba in Kogi State say she eventually escape go camp before dem rescue her. She thank NiDCOM chairwoman, Abike Dabiri‑Erewa, and Dr. Segun Abraham from Trinity Foundation for helping her return. “I no want make any girl or boy to go through wetin i go through. Please no follow this route,” she plead, and she also beg for support to continue the education wey she drop since 2018. Dabiri‑Erewa describe her as “one of the lucky ones,” noting say many Nigerians wey dey try Sahara–Mediterranean route don die or vanish, and she warn say irregular migration na “voluntary suicide,” urging youths to use safe and legal channels. The NiDCOM boss also talk say the agency go support her rehabilitation and still step up the fight against human trafficking. She praise President Tinubu for the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), wey fit help prevent other dropouts like her from following risky alternatives.