Libya transfers 18 Nigerian migrants from Sirte to Sabha ahead of repatriation

Authorities in Libya have moved 18 undocumented Nigerian migrants from the Sirte Immigration Detention Center to the southern city of Sabha, where they are expected to be repatriated.

The development was confirmed in a statement by Migrant Rescue Watch, a humanitarian monitoring group, which said the transfer took place on Monday under the supervision of the Libyan Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM).

According to the group, the migrants were transported by road in a security-controlled convoy, marking part of Libya’s broader strategy to facilitate the return of foreign nationals without legal status.

Libya remains a major departure point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, despite years of instability and conflict.

The country’s detention centers often hold large numbers of undocumented migrants pending deportation or repatriation.

In recent years, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has partnered with Libyan authorities to arrange voluntary repatriation flights, offering migrants the option to return to their countries of origin.