Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has issued a grave warning to Nigerians over the deadly risks of irregular migration, revealing that one out of every 24 migrants attempting the Libya route dies in the process.
Speaking at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Human Rights Institute event marking the 2025 International Human Rights Day, Dabiri-Erewa said the statistics reflect the harsh reality many Nigerians ignore when embarking on illegal journeys in search of greener pastures.
She noted that thousands continue to put their lives at risk despite overwhelming evidence of danger.
“In Iraq alone, we have over 7,000 stranded Nigerians,” she said. “Many of them walked into hopelessness, underestimating the brutality of illegal migration routes.”
Dabiri-Erewa also disclosed a massive national effort underway to rescue vulnerable minors trapped abroad.
“NIDCOM and our partners are currently working to repatriate 10,500 Nigerian children stranded across various countries,” she said, calling it one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges facing the nation.
Citing a recent case of a young woman who used N2.5 million meant for medical care to fund an illegal trip to Libya—only to return with nothing—she lamented the growing trend of desperation-driven decisions.
“The grass is not greener on the other side; it is greener where you water it,” she stressed, urging citizens to seek opportunities legally and safely.
She called for a comprehensive whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to stem the tide, warning that advocacy, awareness, and strengthening opportunities at home are crucial to saving lives.
NBA First Vice President, Sabastine Anyia, in his remarks, urged Nigerians to recommit to justice, human rights, and national security. He called on citizens and institutions alike to build a country where movement is safe, dignity is protected, and no Nigerian feels compelled to risk death for survival.
