As more and more victims of Libya slave trade arrive Nigeria, more tales have been heard of much suffering they suffer and now, quite disturbing – that the slave traders use the migrants to test the efficacy of their firearms.
One Lucky Akoluche, 28, from Ikah North-East Local Government Area, of Delta, told Southern City News that the armed traffickers do not value the lives of their victims.
“The Libyans kill people the way they like. When they buy new guns, they use human beings to test the guns. They call us black monkeys,” the returnee stated
Akoluche, who claimed to be a student of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, said he made up his mind to drop out of school in search of better means of livelihood in Europe when he could no longer afford his school fees.
He also said he was repatriated with an injury in his right hand, which he sustained during a fight with a Gambian migrant.
“I left Nigeria for Europe on April 25, 2016. I wanted to go to Germany, but I had to go through Libya. I left Nigeria because of the suffering that my family and I were facing.
“I was in the second semester of my first year in Ozoro Polytechnic. But I could not continue because of lack of money to pay my fees,” he explained.
Akoluche added, “So, my sister assisted me with some money, which I used to travel. My friends also advised me to go. I spent about N2m.
“I regret abandoning my studies for a trip abroad. Libya is not good; I did not know that it was like that. I should have searched for something to do here in Nigeria.”
“Do not go”, is his advice to anyone nursing the idea of travelling through Libya.
“It is better to stay in Nigeria because many people are dying in Libya. There was no water and food for days.
“People die at sea. About 10 persons died in my presence due to lack of water and food for up to a month. Some decomposing bodies were seen in the desert as we were travelling.
“I thank the government for bringing me back. But I appeal to the government to help me with my treatment. I am also willing to work,” the returnee added.
Omoleye Omoruyi… an apprentice web/game developer, novelist, sensitive to happenings in the world. Meet him @Lord_rickie on Twitter/Instagram
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