August 5, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
Over 400 Nigerian nationals detained in a deportation camp in Libya have issued a passionate plea for urgent intervention from the Nigerian government, humanitarian agencies, and private organisations, citing inhumane conditions and rising deaths.
In a disturbing viral video recorded secretly from within the camp, a middle-aged Nigerian man narrated the ordeal of the detainees, who have reportedly been confined for over seven months in a United Nations-run facility located in Brakchat, approximately 60 kilometres from the city of Sabhā.
According to him, the number of Nigerian detainees has dropped drastically from about 700 to roughly 400, with many reportedly dying as a result of poor living conditions, maltreatment, and lack of medical attention.
The man revealed that detainees are denied the use of mobile phones and had to risk severe punishment to record and share the video as evidence of their deteriorating condition.
Images from the video show dozens of Nigerians lying on bare floors, visibly frail and distressed, with many showing signs of physical injury and malnourishment.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the Nigerian Embassy in Libya. However, calls are growing louder for agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to take swift action.
The humanitarian crisis underscores the dangers faced by many Nigerian migrants who embark on irregular journeys across North Africa in hopes of reaching Europe, only to be caught and detained in harsh conditions.
