The Nigerian Senate has demanded urgent action to rescue Nigerians trapped in Libyan prisons, citing human trafficking, abuse, and modern-day slavery

Nigerians trapped in Libyan prisons have found new hope after the Nigerian Senate, in a heated session on Tuesday, passed a resolution urging the Federal Government to take immediate diplomatic steps to secure the release and repatriation of hundreds of women and children held in detention across Libya.

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Describing the situation as “modern-day slavery,” Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan joined Senator Aniekan Bassey (Cross River South) in highlighting the harrowing plight of migrants—many of them victims of human trafficking—who have ended up in prison after escaping forced prostitution and labour.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) called for the Nigerian Immigration Service and Correctional Service to liaise directly with Libyan authorities, facilitating not just the release of Nigerian women, but also their children born in detention.

“These women were victims twice over—first of traffickers, then of a broken system. Several were sexually assaulted in prison, and their children must not pay for crimes they did not commit,” she told the chamber.

In his motion, Senator Bassey painted a grim picture of Libya as a “corridor of death and despair,” where Nigerians desperate to reach Europe fall prey to criminal gangs and end up in inhumane detention centres. He cited reports of torture, forced blood donation, rape, and even deaths in custody.

“One survivor, Mercy Olugbenga, sold her family’s property to fund her journey but was imprisoned for over a year, during which her blood was repeatedly extracted. This is slavery in the 21st century,” Bassey lamented.

The Senate referenced detailed findings by Amnesty International and the International Organisation for Migration, which document widespread abuse by both Libyan state forces and militia groups controlling unofficial detention centres.

Following strong contributions from several senators, the upper chamber adopted the following resolutions:

• Urged the Federal Government to engage Libyan authorities diplomatically and collaborate with the African Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations for broader regional support.
• Directed NAPTIP to play a central role in both repatriation and rehabilitation efforts.
  Mandated key committees to investigate illegal migration networks and unlicensed agents responsible for trafficking Nigerians abroad.
• Called on the National Orientation Agency to intensify sensitisation campaigns warning citizens about the dangers of irregular migration.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) warned Nigerians to stop chasing illusions abroad: “Nigerians have no business being in Libya. There is no greener pasture there—only pain and exploitation.”

Senator Anthony Ani (Ebonyi South) called the situation “a stain on our national conscience,” while Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) condemned the African Union’s silence, insisting: “No country should be allowed to treat fellow Africans worse than animals.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the motion, praising Senator Bassey for raising it. He reminded Nigerian youth that home offers more dignity than illegal migration.

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“Home is home,” Akpabio said. “Many who leave in search of greener pastures only find pain. Let’s build our country—there’s no greater pride than being safe and free in your homeland.”