The Federal Government says it has a record of 2,778 Nigerian migrants registered in “accessible” detention camps in Libya, ready for repatriation.

Tiwatope Elias-Fatiile, the Spokesperson of Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said officials of Nigerian Embassy in Libya had been visiting detention camps to identify Nigerians for registration.

“From the 2,778 registered Nigerians who are still in detention camps, another set of 250 Nigerian migrants will be arriving on Tuesday Dec. 5, at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos at 7.00.pm. to be received by NEMA officials,” Elias-Fatiile disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday.

He stated that those registered were issued Emergency Travel Certificates, adding that the Nigerian Embassy in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) repatriates 250 migrants weekly and had returned 3,000 of them so far.

“The Embassy, in collaboration with the IOM, repatriates 250 Nigerian migrants by flight to Lagos weekly – each flight can accommodate only 250 passengers.

“The repatriation is a continuous exercise and the Embassy routinely issues the requisite travel documents to the migrants.

“The Embassy will continue to engage the legitimate government in Libya and other stakeholders in addressing the plight of Nigerian migrants in that country.,” he said

Elias-Fatiile further said that Geoffrey Onyeama, Foreign Affairs Minister, had invited Iliya Fachano, Nigerian Embassy’s Head of Mission, to Abuja for consultations.

“He is in Abuja already and during the period of the consultations, arrangements have been made for him to address press conferences on the issue.

“This would afford the Nigerian public the opportunity to hear from him directly.”

The Ministry, he said, advised intending Nigerian travellers to “avoid Libya at this period, because of the dangers they may encounter in the process of their journey”.

He also urged citizens to reach the Nigerian Embassy in Libya for assistance through these emergency numbers:  218910144487,  218925099384 and 218917953365.

He said that through these contacts, the embassy had received requests for intervention from some relations of the victims based in Nigeria.

While condemning the slave market in Libya, Iliya Fachano said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would engage the UN, African Union, European Union and other stakeholders to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

“It violates the fundamental human rights of the victims and it is unacceptable to the civilised world.”