For the first time in 12 years, Libyan authorities have sent 400 irregular migrants back to Niger by road.
The move is part of ongoing efforts to manage illegal immigration into Libya, according to Lieutenant Colonel Muhammed Bureydia.
Bureydia, Deputy Director of Security at the Combating Illegal Migration Unit, confirmed the return of the migrants, noting that they would travel by bus.
“This is the first time in over a decade that we are sending irregular immigrants from Niger back by land,” Bureydia stated.
The migrants received the necessary documents from the Unit Against Illegal Immigration before embarking on their journey to Niger.
Libya, long seen as a key transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe, has been grappling with increasing immigration issues.
Libyan Interior Minister Imad al-Tripolisi recently emphasized that irregular immigration is a pressing “national security issue.”
He revealed that there are approximately 2.5 million immigrants currently residing in Libya.
As a result, the Libyan government continues to focus on curbing illegal immigration and addressing the challenges posed by irregular migration.
The journey of the 400 migrants marks a significant shift in Libya’s approach to handling immigration, as the country intensifies its efforts to manage the issue.