By Nkechi Eze
A young Nigerian, Mercy Oluwagbenga, who was recently rescued from Libya after a viral video showed her crying out for help, has appealed to Nigerian youths never to embark on irregular migration through dangerous routes.
In an official statement, the Head of Media and Public Relations of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun, disclosed that Mercy was formally received in Abuja by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, where she recounted her ordeal and expressed gratitude for her safe return.
Narrating her painful experience, Mercy, who hails from Kabba in Kogi State, revealed that she had dropped out of school at the age of 20 and was lured to Libya with the promise of greener pastures in order to raise money to care for her ailing mother. Instead, she found herself trapped in what she described as 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 the sum of about two and a half million naira. I was maltreated, I changed jobs, and at one point, locked up in a house where my blood was drawn without my consent,” she recalled tearfully.
She lamented that Nigerians in her situation were “treated like animals,” adding that she was only fortunate to have escaped into a camp before eventually being rescued. Mercy expressed deep appreciation to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NIDCOM, and Dr. Segun Abraham of the Trinity Foundation for facilitating her return home, stressing that she does not want any other young girl or boy to go through what she suffered.
“I don’t want any young girl or boy to go through what I went through. Please don’t follow this route,” she pleaded, while pledging to work with NIDCOM to raise awareness against irregular migration. She also lamented the death of her sick mother while she was still trapped in Libya and appealed for assistance to enable her return to school, which she abandoned in 2018 at 300 Level.
In her remarks, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended Mercy for her courage and survival, describing her as “one of the lucky ones,” pointing out that many others have either perished in the desert or drowned in the Mediterranean Sea, while some remain untraceable. The NIDCOM boss reiterated that irregular migration amounts to “voluntary suicide” and cautioned Nigerian youths to always pursue safe and legal channels for travel.
She thanked Dr. Segun Abraham for his financial support, which made Mercy’s repatriation possible, and assured that NIDCOM would facilitate her full rehabilitation. Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that the Commission will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to protect Nigerians abroad and intensify advocacy to curb the menace of human trafficking and irregular migration.
She also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which she said will provide opportunities for Nigerians like Mercy to complete their education instead of dropping out due to lack of funds.
