Don’t travel to Libya, hardship worse there, FIJ journalist Soyombo warns Nigerians

Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo has cautioned Nigerians considering irregular migration through Libya that they could face harsher conditions than anticipated. Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, shared insights from his 47-day undercover journey from Kano to Tripoli during an interview on ARISE News.

He emphasized that for Nigerians facing economic hardship, the options in Libya are worse. Soyombo recounted accounts of migrants who arrived in Libya, only to find themselves stranded due to lack of funds and forced to take on jobs to survive. He warned that these migrants often struggle to access financial services in Libya and are vulnerable to robbery, as they keep cash.

Additionally, Soyombo detailed the brutal working conditions some migrants faced in the Libyan desert, where they were subjected to extreme temperatures and unpaid labor. He recounted an incident where migrants were taken to a farm and forced to work for hours without pay. Soyombo also shared stories of migrants who, upon realizing the challenges of their journey, regretted their decision and wished they had never left.

He stressed the importance of providing Nigerians with accurate information about the dangers of the Libya route to help them make informed decisions. Despite the challenges, Soyombo believes documenting his experience is a way to provide Nigerians with firsthand knowledge of the risks involved in such a journey.