Four Nigerians Arrested in Libya for Drug Offenses, Health Concerns
Libyan authorities have arrested four Nigerians on charges of drug-related offenses and health concerns in separate incidents in Sabha and Bani Walid. The arrests were disclosed by Migrant Rescue Watch on Monday via a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
In Sabha, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) raided a location tied to two Nigerian suspects. Authorities reportedly confiscated 1,200 hallucinogenic pills and other illegal substances. The suspects were transferred to the Sabha Security Directorate for further investigations.
“CID in Sabha carried out a raid on a reported location and arrested two Nigerian drug traffickers. During a search of the premises, police found 1,200 hallucinogenic pills and other illicit drugs. Both individuals were transferred to the Sabha Security Directorate,” Migrant Rescue Watch confirmed in their statement.
Meanwhile, in Bani Walid, a male and female Nigerian were detained during a routine health screening for testing positive for infectious diseases. They were subsequently moved to Tripoli for repatriation by the Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM).
“DCIM Bureau in Bani Walid transferred two Nigerian migrants (female and male) who tested positive for infectious diseases to Tripoli for repatriation,” the advocacy group stated.
The arrests come just two weeks after the Libyan government deported seven Nigerians for violating state laws. These developments occur amid increasing scrutiny of Nigerians in Libya, following an incident where the Super Eagles of Nigeria were stranded at Al Abraq Airport during their AFCON qualifiers. The situation has heightened tensions, with local media reportedly pressuring the Libyan government to crack down on “illegal” Nigerians.
