Margaret Ebeshi
A Nigerian lady rescued from Libya, Mercy Oluwagbenga, has warned Nigerians against irregular migration, stressing that the journey through dangerous routes is life-threatening.
Mercy was rescued after a viral video showed her crying out for help.
While being received by the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, she narrated her ordeal and appealed to young Nigerians never to embark on irregular migration.
She explained that she dropped out of school at the age of 20 and was lured to Libya with the promise of greener pastures to raise money for her sick mother, only to end up trapped in modern-day slavery.
“For one year and six months, I worked without receiving a kobo, because I had to pay the Agent who took me to Libya the sum of about two and a half million naira. I was maltreated, I changed jobs, and at one point, locked up in a house where my blood was drawn without my consent,” she recalled tearfully.
Mercy, an indigene of Kabba in Kogi State, lamented that Nigerians in her situation were “treated like animals,” stressing that she was lucky to have escaped into a camp.
She expressed appreciation to Abike Dabiri-Erewa of NIDCOM, and Segun Abraham of Trinity Foundation for facilitating her safe return.
Pledging to work with NIDCOM to raise awareness against irregular migration, she added: “I don’t want any young girl or boy to go through what I went through. Please don’t follow this route.”
Lamenting the loss of her sick mother while in Libya, she pleaded for assistance to return to school, which she abandoned in 2018 at 300 Level.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended Mercy for her courage and survival, describing her as “one of the lucky ones,” noting that many others had died in the desert or the Mediterranean Sea, while some remain untraceable.
The NIDCOM boss reiterated that irregular migration amounts to “voluntary suicide,” and cautioned Nigerian youths to always seek safe and legal channels for travel.
She thanked Dr. Segun Abraham, whose financial support made Mercy’s repatriation possible, and assured that NIDCOM will facilitate her full rehabilitation while continuing to work with partners and stakeholders to protect Nigerians and curb human trafficking.
Dabiri-Erewa commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing NELFUND, which she said will provide opportunities for Nigerians like Mercy to complete their education rather than drop out for lack of funds.
PIAK