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IOM returns over 320 Nigerians from Libya

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UN migration agency, the International Organisation for Migration, has facilitated the return
over 320 Nigerians stranded in Libya.

Libya has become a key departure point on North Africa’s Mediterranean coast for migrants, mainly from other parts of Africa, risking dangerous sea voyages in hopes of reaching Europe.

AFP reports that Libya’s rival administrations last year agreed on a Tripoli-based anti-immigration body tasked with coordinating deportations of foreigners who are in the country illegally.

“We carried out on Tuesday the expulsion of 163 irregular migrants of Nigerian nationality from the Mitiga airport, including 107 women, 51 men and five children,” Libya migration agency’s head of security, Mohamad Baredaa, told AFP.

In a move coordinated with the IOM, Baredaa added that “160 Nigerians will be sent back to their country from Benina airport in Benghazi” later on Tuesday.

An AFP correspondent saw the first group at Tripoli’s Mitiga airport early Tuesday, where they were given a laissez-passer before boarding shuttles to the plane.

According to the IOM, there are more than 700,000 migrants in Libya.

As foreign countries like the United Kingdom tighten their immigration policies, many Nigerians are still racing to leave the country following the wave of “Japa” and as economic conditions continue to worsen amid naira devaluation.

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Nigerian, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Somali migrants, others massively repatriated by Libya

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Libyan authorities, during the week embarked on massive repatriation of immigrants.

Nigerian, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Somali  migrants are among the nationalities sent back home from the North African country.

Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Ghanaian migrants were also repatriated.

According to Migrant Rescue Watch, “DCIM repatriated with IOM support over 150 #migrants, mainly women with children of Nigerian nationality via Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli.”

In another operation, Migrant Rescue Watch said “DCIM transferred from Ajdabiya Immigration Detention Center via Sirte to Tripoli 90 #migrants including  women of Eritrean, Ethiopian and Somali nationalities for completion of procedures and repatriation.

This was followed by the repatriation of Moroccans whom DCIM repatriated from East Tripoli Immigration Detention Center 5.  “The individuals were interdicted by the Libyan Coast Guard during an attempted illegal boat crossing,” Migrant Rescue Watch said, adding,  “DCIM with consular and IOM support repatriated via Mitiga Int. Airport in Tripoli 159 #migrants of Bangladeshi nationality. The group incl. 58 #migrants released from DCIM Immigration Detention Centers East Tripoli (Tajoura) and Tariq Mata.”

The return of Ghanaian migrants was announced by  IOM Ghana on its Xhandle and retweeted by Migrant Rescue Watch.

The tweet reads: “This week, IOM welcomed home 134 Ghanaian migrants who voluntarily returned from Libya via charter flight. Coinciding with the #16Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), they received information on GBV, resources for support & reporting, & psychological first aid.”

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Thirty two rescued people stuck aboard in Palermo as SeaWatch5 disembark vulnerable cases

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Thirty two rescued people remained stuck aboard in Palermo as SeaWatch5 disembarked vulnerable cases.

Sea Watch International disclosed this as it said that
the #SeaWatch5 has docked in Palermo so that medical assistance can be provided to some of the rescued people and for the disembarkation of minors ordered by the competent court.

It said “All rescued people should be allowed to disembark after reaching a safe port, not being forced on an exhausting and useless 4-day journey to the assigned port of Ravenna. Partial disembarkation is inhumane and discriminatory. Get all the people ashore now.”

Few hours after the above message was shared, Sea Watch said that #SeaWatch5 disembarked vulnerable cases as ordered by the court. “Yet 32 rescued people remain stuck aboard in Palermo. Forcing these persons to sail another 1,000+ km to Ravenna is reckless, racist, illegal, and endangers lives. We brought them to safety—now let them stay.”

Giving an update:, it said: “Resistance works – all guests are allowed to disembark!

“We’re relieved but also angry: the political power plays at the expense of people on the move are cynical and inhumane.
We wish all our guests strength in their ongoing fight against Fortress Europe!”

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OceanViking rescues 48 people from overcrowded rubber boat

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OceanViking has rescued 48 people from an overcrowded rubber boat.

SOS Mediterranee disclosed on its X handle.

It said: “Yesterday, following a VHF radio message from a NATO aircraft, #OceanViking rescued 48 people from an overcrowded rubber boat in the Libyan Search and Rescue Region. 90% of the survivors are unaccompanied minors.”

Towards the end of the rescue operation, SOS Mediterranee said the Libyan coast guards approached the scene at full speed, dangerously maneuvering. “Despite the unnecessary tension, @SOSMedIntl teams managed to bring everyone safely onboard Ocean Viking. Survivors are now resting inside the shelters.”

It added that authorities instructed Ravenna as Place of Safety, 1575 km away. This implies a 4-day navigation to reach it &4 days to be back to the area of operations, where we are most needed. SOS Mediterranee regretted that :”This distant port practice is emptying the Med of rescue assets and adding on to survivors’ suffering.”

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