Nigerian narrates ordeal journeying from Niger to Libya 

In Nigeria, irregular migration is often perceived as a problem that exists only in the southern part of the country.

Little or no attention is given to returnees by the government and its officials outside what the International Organization for Migration (IOM) offers. 

But unknown to them, many northers are also involved in irregular migration across Inteenational waters.

Here, Adam,  a 20-year-old survivor from Norther  Nigeria, shared the story of his dire journey and the abuse he witnessed in Libya with SOS Mediterranee team on the #OceanViking. He is one of 236 survivors rescued from two boats in distress in international waters off Libya on April 27th, 2021 (the video is transcribed below) 

“I am from northern Nigeria. Kidnappers will abduct you and when they see people coming they will block all the roads and carry all the people and push them into the  bush  and start asking for money. If you don’t have the money they will shoot you.  So I decided to run away because I love my life. I have something to do with my life.  My life is very important, you understand. I want to help my family; my brother and sisters and decided to run to Niger to hustle. 

“From there, I started seeing people moving through the desert to Libya. You will spend like one month in the desert or two weeks  without food. Libya people used to catch people there, put them in prison or somewhere else.  They will beat you and sometimes they will burn rubber and put it on you back . They will be recording you and beating you like an animal so you will call your parents. When you call your parents they will ask them to send them money to release you. That is the number one danger   You pull off your clothes and sleep on the ground.

“My father is alive, my mother is alive. All  my family members are alive but they don’t know I am alive. I want to call my mother. I know that if she hears my voice she is going to be happy.”