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

Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo has cautioned Nigerians contemplating migration to Libya, warning that the hardship they may face in Libya could be worse than in their home country. Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, shared his 47-day undercover experience in Libya during an interview on ARISE News.

He emphasized that many Nigerians migrating to Libya due to economic challenges are often unprepared for the harsh conditions they encounter. "When you are trying to escape economic deprivation, you think that any other option is good. The options in Libya are worse," Soyombo cautioned. He recounted instances where migrants in Libya faced difficulties accessing financial services and were vulnerable to robbery since they were forced to keep their money in cash due to Libya's criminalization of irregular migration.

Soyombo also detailed the grueling working conditions migrant laborers faced, enduring extreme temperatures and being subjected to unpaid labor. He recounted a story of migrants who were not paid for their work on a farm and were subsequently robbed of their remaining money. Soyombo clarified that he does not blame Nigerians for choosing to travel to Libya, as many expressed regret upon realizing the difficulties they faced.

He aimed to provide Nigerians with firsthand information about the dangers of the journey to help them make informed decisions.