[“But I could not cross to Italy because as soon as we were on the Mediterranean Sea, we were caught by some Libyans on the sea. I was taken to a detention camp and was maltreated. They (Libyans) talked to us anyhow.“We did not like the way they fed us, giving us food without meat. They treated us like animals.”]

According to a report by Gistmania, returnees recently repatriated from Libya have continued to relive their tortuous experience in their journeys to enter Europe through the North African coast.

 
Some of them received by the Edo State Task Force against Human Trafficking, who spoke to Southern City News on Sunday, expressed regret that they could not reach their preferred destinations after parting with huge amounts of money to get to Italy.
 
One of them, Nana Sandra, who hails from the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state, said she made up her mind to leave the shores of the country on January 27, 2018, when she could no long manage her job as a salesperson in Benin.
 
But Sandra noted that though she earned little as a salesgirl in a boutique, she managed to raise N700, 000 for the journey.
 

“I was going to Europe to earn a living. I was working as a salesgirl in a boutique before I left. I paid N500,000 to get to Libya and N200,000 to cross to Italy.

“The journey was hard; it was not easy. I will never forget my experience in the desert. Although I did not see people dying in the desert, some of my friends told me they did.

“I was treated well where I was kept in Libya. I was trying to cross to Italy when I was caught and taken to a deportation camp. I spent a week and one day.

“I feel very sad because my plan was to go to Europe to earn a living. I am not happy coming back,”

she narrated.
 
When asked if she had any plan to return to Libya, Sandra said, “Honestly, Libya is not a place to be. I will not advise my enemy to go to Libya. If the government wants me to learn a skill, I will. I would like to learn hair styling.”
 
Another returnee, Edith Richard, alleged that many Nigerians in Libyan detention camps were treated like animals as they were poorly fed.
 
The 21-year-old woman from the Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state said, “I left Nigeria because I wanted to look for something to do. I struggled to raise N500, 000 to get to Libya.

“But I could not cross to Italy because as soon as we were on the Mediterranean Sea, we were caught by some Libyans on the sea. I was taken to a detention camp and was maltreated. They (Libyans) talked to us anyhow.

“We did not like the way they fed us, giving us food without meat. They treated us like animals.”
 
Richard, who noted that she was happy to return home, however, wondered if her parents would feel the same way as she did not seek their permission before she left.
 

“I happy to be back home. I do not regret that I did not get to Europe because some of us lost their lives. About five died at sea and in the desert. One of them, Blessing, died due to the heat from the sun. She could not bear it.

“I have parents but I did not inform them that I was living the country (Nigeria). But I called them when I got to Libya. I do not know whether they will accept me. I am afraid that they might shout at me; I want them to forgive me.

“I am ready to learn a skill and I want the state government to help me. I thank the government for bringing me back,”

he said.
 
In an interview with Southern City News, the Head of the Rehabilitation and Reintegration unit of the task force, Florence Nwaonuma, said the returnees would be assessed based on the level of trauma they had experienced.

Post Reply

Posted: at 14-05-2018 10:25 AM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero

strive for a better brain, am so sorry how you were treated.

Posted: at 14-05-2018 10:38 AM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac

no be una find dem go there?

Posted: at 14-05-2018 10:41 AM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero

Make una hear word don't go there again warning

Posted: at 14-05-2018 10:48 AM (5 years ago) | Hero

I hope they receive support, but now is not the time to give up or cry, now is the time to gather strength, from your experience in libya, what is the good lessons you learnt, I think you learnt that you can gather money, you are strong, you have to be stronger, you are not broken and determined, so ignite your brian, that effort you put into going to libya and all that stress, use it once more to make a good living for yourselves here in NIgeria, Discover what good you can do here. Stress your brian here, put effort here, try harder, who knows maybe something might spring forth, even if you fail, hold yourself together.

Posted: at 14-05-2018 10:49 AM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac

How will I have 700,000 and pay it out just to travel illegally out. na wow. u guys re welcome anyway

Posted: at 14-05-2018 10:56 AM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac

let's look at it logically through a simulation, if I were a Libyan and some people came from Nigeria, and the people look hungry tired and desperate, what do you think I would do as a normal human animal, will I be kind or will I be disturbed, or maybe I would be irritated and think these people are subclass human.

Not a good simulation, lets say, in addition, these intruders are looking for opportunities and I am also looking for opportunities and I have a sense of entitlement, what do you think I would do, I will find a way to frustrate these intruders, simple, part of human nature, part of animal nature.

But if these people are smarter, and they are there to spend money and to enjoy themselves, what do you think I would do as a Libyan, i would try to benefit also.

Best Advise, stop seeking help from outside, look within.

Posted: at 14-05-2018 11:04 AM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac

For Pete seek...700k is enough to change your life a bit here in Nigeria. I know things are expensive but that amount can start a manageable business which will later grow if u know what u are doing.

Posted: at 14-05-2018 11:38 AM (5 years ago) | Hero

For Pete seek...700k is enough to change your life a bit here in Nigeria. I know things are expensive but that amount can start a manageable business which will later grow if u know what u are doing.

This is what we have to understand

Posted: at 14-05-2018 12:05 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac

THE GRASS IS NOT ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE PEOPLE

Posted: at 14-05-2018 12:55 PM (5 years ago) | Hero

If u work as sale girl and manage to save 700k i guess u are doing well, go find out how many graduates or non graduates working in companies and office if dey have been able to save 700k, so my advice now dat u are back, if u manage to save 700k again contact me for gud advice on wot to do or establish with d money, My people perish for lack of knowledge. even 500k self contact me for advice but u will pay me for consultation cos information is power, the consultation wont be much, u can reach me on: 070CC00HEH, I will guide u well on wot to do n how to start. dias notin over dia in libya dan frustration. tanx

Posted: at 14-05-2018 02:00 PM (5 years ago) | Upcoming

am short of words. I was once a victim, that was years back. my dear you guys should take heart it's not the end of the world.

Posted: at 14-05-2018 05:18 PM (5 years ago) | Newbie

WETIN U DEY DO THERE

Posted: at 14-05-2018 05:39 PM (5 years ago) | Grande Master

these naive Nigerians are funny sha

so they just easily threw away 700k, hoping to go n pick up millions on the streets of Europe?

...very funny indeed

Posted: at 14-05-2018 08:45 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac

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