Buhari Administration Will Rehabilitate Nigerian Migrants

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*FG sets up committee to resolve migrant crisis

The Buhari administration will ensure Nigerian migrants stranded in Libya are returned home safely and rehabilitated, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo said this on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a meeting with government agencies and stakeholders to resolve the migrant crisis involving Nigerians in Libya and Europe.

To this effect, the Vice President on Tuesday set up an inter-agency committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Commission for Refugees, and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

While stating that the administration will ensure the protection of Nigerian citizens abroad, Prof. Osinbajo noted that President Muhammadu Buhari was also deeply concerned about the recent deaths of 26 Nigerian women in Italy in very unfortunate circumstances, as well the cases of some Nigerians allegedly being sold into slavery in Libya.

Prof. Osinbajo said, “I believe that that is exactly the reason why it is important for us to address the issue. Of course, there are long term issues here. There are issues around ensuring that all the economic conditions are right for people. These are relatively long term issues; most countries have their own economic difficulties.

“In the short term, we must make sure that people do not endanger themselves in the way that some of the young men and women have endangered themselves. Most of it, I believe is on account of lack of information.”

“Many of them are given impression that life out there is rosy; and that the grass is greener out there, and that by paying some money to some persons who, basically, are criminals of one kind or the other, who try to recruit persons for some illegitimate or illegal purposes, the victims think they can advance their careers one way or the other.”

The Vice President advised young Nigerians to avoid criminal elements who deceive them into embarking on ill-advised trips to foreign countries, where they are subsequently exposed to inhumane living conditions. He said by sensitizing young Nigerians, unfortunate incidents arising from such risky journeys would be prevented in the future.

The Vice President further said, “We will be working out what steps need to be taken. Already a lot has been done. Reports of the refugee commission will show that several thousands of Nigerians, young men and women, have been returned to Nigeria and have been properly profiled and counselled, and some have gone back to their respective homes.”

“In response to Mr. President’s position on this and his call, we will ensure that we are able to put in place something that might be a bit more permanent and answer some of the questions that have been raised over time; to ensure that we are able to do something that is effective and would last for a long time.”

Prof. Osinbajo reiterated that the Buhari administration remains committed to improving the nation’s economy and the livelihood of Nigerians.