By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

More than 20,197 Nigerians who were stranded in various countries have voluntarily returned home through repatriation exercises facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The returnees were assisted under the IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme, which was supported by the Nigerian government and its diplomatic missions abroad.

Women and girls made up 88% of the returnees, while men accounted for 13%.

The majority of the victims of trafficking (VoTs) were between 18 and 39 years old, with those aged 18 to 25 being particularly vulnerable to human trafficking.

Many of them had been trapped in transit and destination countries along irregular migration routes, especially in Libya, Niger, and Mali.

Between April 2017 and May 2018, over 7,000 Nigerians were repatriated from Libyan detention centers and urban areas, while another 750 returned from neighboring countries. By February 2022, the total number of assisted returnees had risen to 19,452. In early 2024 alone, 167 victims were repatriated, 81% of whom were female. The trend is not new, as female victims peaked in 2022 with 908 cases, while male victims were significantly lower at 166.

Economic hardship remains the primary driver of irregular migration, with 94% of returnees citing the search for better opportunities as their motivation. Other reasons included job searches (2%), escaping family issues (1%), and factors such as education, family reunification, or fleeing violence (3%).

Italy, Libya, and Mali were among the most common destinations for these migrants, accounting for nearly 60% of all returnees. Italy alone accounted for 26%, while Germany, Spain, the UAE, France, Lebanon, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire were also listed as preferred destinations. Libya stood out as the main country of exploitation, with 53% of victims suffering abuse there, followed by Mali with 29%.

For years, Libya has been both a destination and a transit hub for Nigerians attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean. Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has seen increasing cases of slavery and extortion, which have become a source of income for some Libyan communities.

Most victims of trafficking were subjected to forced labor and sexual exploitation. IOM data showed that 1,114 victims—82% of them female—were forced into labor in Libya, while Mali was known for sex trade exploitation, affecting 1,109 victims, 98% of whom were women. Traffickers used various control tactics, including physical and psychological abuse, deception, threats, and wage withholding. The majority of victims were trafficked by people they knew—friends or acquaintances—accounting for 46.6% of female victims and 53.2% of male victims.

The IOM has partnered with government agencies and NGOs to support reintegration efforts, with over 3,122 victims (64%) successfully reintegrated. Assistance provided includes medical care and vocational training to help returnees achieve economic stability. However, many returnees face uncertainty about their future, struggling with financial instability and reintegration into their communities. Vulnerable groups include survivors of gender-based violence, unaccompanied minors, those with severe mental and physical health needs, and individuals exposed to violence.

Former spokesperson for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Zakaria Dauda, noted that despite the challenges returnees face, some still attempt to migrate again, believing life is better abroad. He explained that NAPTIP is working on sensitization to bridge this gap, but there is a strong push-and-pull factor. Many young people think the grass is greener on the other side, but they fail to realize that success requires effort.

Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, emphasized the need for informed decision-making. “We cannot stop people from leaving, but we can educate them on the risks and help them make informed migration choices,” she said.