Nigerians held in a deportation camp in Libya have issued a desperate plea for help, describing the conditions in the facility—allegedly managed by a United Nations agency—as inhumane and life-threatening.
In a viral video circulating online, a middle-aged man narrated the harrowing experiences of detainees, revealing that they have been confined in the camp for over seven months while awaiting deportation. The video shows scores of Nigerians—men, women, teenagers, and children—crowded into a poorly maintained facility.
“Since over seven months, we have been in this so-called deportation camp, dying in numbers. Even yesterday, we lost a child and a teenager due to maltreatment,” the narrator said, identifying the camp as being located in Brakchat, about 60 kilometers from Sabhā in southern Libya.
According to him, the group originally numbered about 700 people but has now dwindled to approximately 400 due to daily deaths allegedly caused by poor treatment and lack of proper care.
He further claimed that while the United Nations is responsible for managing the deportation process, its officials have largely been absent and unresponsive to their plight. “Since we came here, no UN official has visited to assess our welfare. Even when they do, they are denied access to see our condition,” he said.
The man emphasized that the group includes skilled individuals, graduates, and working professionals, and called on the Nigerian government, private organisations, and well-meaning citizens to intervene urgently.
Reacting to the video, the Federal Government said it has launched an immediate investigation into the situation.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed that the Nigerian Embassy in Tripoli has been directed to verify the claims and report back to headquarters.
“We have contacted the Embassy of Nigeria in Tripoli to find out details and report to headquarters for necessary action,” Ebienfa stated.
Further updates are expected as the government continues its investigation into the conditions and well-being of Nigerian citizens in the Libyan camp.