Deportees accuse embassy officials in Libya of neglect

By Festus Owete

October 22, 2009 02:51AM

Nigerian deportees from Libya on Wednesday accused the Nigerian Embassy in the North African country of doing nothing to save their colleagues who died there. They made the accusation when they visited the members of the House of Representatives Committee on the Diaspora. Meanwhile, the lower chamber will, on Thursday, debate the reported death of 30 Nigerians recently in China. The matter was brought under urgent national importance by Austin Nwachukwu (PDP, Imo) but members voted that it should be debated on Thursday. The deportees, numbering about 15, who were serving jail terms before the intervention of the committee and a non-governmental organisation, said that they were on the death row in Libya with all hope lost, until the lawmakers intervened. Vitalis Onuoma, who spoke on behalf of the returnees, said the action of the embassy and foreign affairs ministry resulted in the repatriation of over 1000 of them. Another deportee, Kalu Joel stated that not much can be achieved in curbing the menace until the authorities concerned put more efforts to ensure that all borders are properly manned to prevent illegal exit. "The Nigerian authorities and all concerned should make sure the porous borders in the country are blocked, so that all these Nigerians travelling with illegal papers cannot go out of the country," he said, adding that there is "a central park in Niger Republic where all these people are transported to Europe and other parts of the world." Tend your own grass The coordinator of the Coalition of the Rights of Nigerians on Death Row in Libya, Ebele Egbuna, described the experience of the deportees as "harrowing and thought-provoking one". The chairperson of the committee, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said it will intensify efforts to discourage Nigerians from travelling illegally to other countries and also put an end to the inhumane way in which Nigerians are treated outside the country. She advised Nigerians planning to migrate to other countries through illegal routes to do a rethink, stressing "grass is not always greener on the other side."

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Reader Comments (5)

Posted by KEN on Oct 22 2009

People don't just think of running out of her country if all is well with the country. The greatest problem is the Govt. at all levels who has closed his eyes to the plight of his citizenry. The govt. has failed in providing basic amenities, job creation, conducive environment for one to start small or medium scale business. The man in the street survives untold hardship by the grace of GOD while "they" live in affluent on the detriment of his people. "They" aggrandise wealth for there chilren unborn and the commoners rot away. Enough is enough!!! Let them thinks of what "they" can give to the country and not what the country can give to "them". Their ill-gotten wealth cannot buy them peace and security because the country is not at peace and security is at the ebb. May God bless Nigeria and listing to the cry of the suffering.

Posted by Mike Otu on Oct 22 2009

I don't blame these nigerians. Our govt has failed us. Imagine staying here in Nigeria and hearing that over there, there is no power interruption and many more others. If slave trade were still existing some Nigerians would have voluntarily opt for being sold instead of staying here.

Posted by kingsley..........08036360329 on Oct 22 2009

This is purely inhumanity to man, in the side of our leaders.Its obvious that all is not well with this country. our so-called leader don't have her citizens at heart. what is then essence of having a representativeS in Libya.when they can not protect her citizens. My advice is that the house of reps should prob the anbassador to Libya. He is a disgrace to this country called Nigeria. LONG LIVE NIGERIA.

Posted by Osa on Oct 23 2009

Nigerians should stop lavishing in a foreign land less previledged than the one they are running from. They should stay home, and fight those who are the cause of their flight. Then the battle over evil will be won.

Posted by my name is brigadial on Oct 25 2009

am success by name am in libya now we did not came to libya to stay we aer pass by we aer going ti europe for de betterment of us when u come to libya u ss what de govt did is like europe save us in nigeria let how gpvt help u to biuld how yout age we aer not living well at allll but i still pray to god to give me de srenth procide becos am going to uerope nigeria what will u do with de deportee