It was a deeply emotional and tear-filled moment as Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), welcomed a young Nigerian woman named Mercy back home — after she was rescued from Libya, where she endured years of torture and inhumane conditions while attempting to migrate to Europe through irregular routes.
In a heartfelt post on her official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Dabiri-Erewa shared the reunion, describing it as a powerful reminder of the dangers of illegal migration and the importance of collective responsibility in protecting vulnerable Nigerians abroad.
“An emotional day as I received Mercy, rescued from Libya after years of torture,” she wrote.
“A big thanks to Dr. Segun Abraham who provided the funds to get her back. Hope her story will prevent others from embarking on dangerous irregular migration routes.”
According to NIDCOM, Mercy left Nigeria several years ago, lured by promises of greener pastures in Europe through the North African route. Like many others, she found herself trapped in Libya's migrant detention network, where she was reportedly abused, exploited, and detained for long periods.
Her return was made possible through private humanitarian support, notably from philanthropist Dr. Segun Abraham, who covered the cost of her extraction, temporary shelter, and return flight to Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa used the opportunity to caution Nigerian youths, especially women, against falling prey to human traffickers and smugglers who disguise themselves as travel agents or job recruiters.
“Mercy’s ordeal is heartbreaking, but sadly, not unique. Thousands of young Nigerians are still stranded in Libya, Niger, and other transit countries. We must spread awareness and stop this dangerous trend,” she said.
She further emphasized that irregular migration routes often lead to modern-day slavery, sexual exploitation, forced labor, and death — rather than the success stories often portrayed on social media.
The video of the emotional reception and Mercy’s return has sparked a wave of sympathy and support online, with Nigerians praising Dabiri-Erewa and Dr. Abraham for their intervention and compassion.
“This is the kind of leadership we need — thank you for saving this girl’s life,” one commenter wrote.
“Her pain must not be in vain. Let’s share her story far and wide,” another added.
NIDCOM confirmed that Mercy will receive rehabilitation support, counseling, and reintegration assistance through its partnership with relevant agencies such as NAPTIP, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, and international NGOs.
Nigeria remains one of the highest sources of irregular migrants to Europe via North Africa. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), thousands of Nigerians are still stranded in Libyan camps or have died attempting the Mediterranean crossing.
Hon. Dabiri-Erewa concluded her message with a passionate plea:
“No matter how hard things are, illegal migration is never the answer. We must protect our people — especially our girls. Mercy is home, but many are not so lucky.”
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