Don’t Risk Your Life’: Libya Returnee Urges Nigerian Youths to Shun Dangerous Routes [VIDEO]

Libya Returnee Urges Nigerian Youths to Shun Dangerous Routes
The returnee revealed that she dropped out of school to raise money for her sick mother
Dabiri-Erewa praised Mercy’s resilience, describing her as “one of the lucky ones”

A young Nigerian woman, Mercy Oluwagbenga, who was recently rescued from Libya after a viral video showed her crying out for help, has urged Nigerian youths to shun irregular migration and dangerous travel routes in search of greener pastures.

Eko Hot Blog reports that while speaking after she was received by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Oluwagbenga recounted her harrowing ordeal in Libya, where she endured forced labour and abuse for over a year.

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The 20-year-old, who hails from Kabba in Kogi State, revealed that she dropped out of school to raise money for her sick mother but was lured abroad with promises of better opportunities. Instead, she said, she was subjected to 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 about ₦2.5 million. I was maltreated, changed jobs several times, and at one point locked in a house where my blood was drawn without my consent,” she recalled tearfully.

She added that many Nigerians in her situation were “treated like animals” and that she considered herself fortunate to have escaped to a camp where she was eventually rescued.

Oluwagbenga expressed gratitude to Dabiri-Erewa, NIDCOM, and Dr. Segun Abraham of Trinity Foundation for facilitating her return.

She also appealed for support to enable her to complete her university education, which she abandoned in 2018 at 300 level.

“I don’t want any young girl or boy to go through what I went through. Please don’t follow this route,” she warned.

In her remarks, Dabiri-Erewa praised Mercy’s resilience, describing her as “one of the lucky ones,” as many migrants never make it out of the desert or the Mediterranean Sea.

The NIDCOM boss reiterated that irregular migration is akin to “voluntary suicide” and cautioned Nigerian youths to seek safe and legal channels if they wish to travel.

She also acknowledged Dr. Abraham’s financial support, which made the repatriation possible.

Dabiri-Erewa assured that NIDCOM will ensure Mercy’s rehabilitation while strengthening advocacy efforts to curb human trafficking and illegal migration.

She further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying it would provide opportunities for young Nigerians like Mercy to complete their education rather than risk their lives abroad.

Click here to watch the video of Mercy Oluwagbenga who was rescued from Libya after a viral video showed her crying out for help.

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