Mercy Oluwagbenga, a young Nigerian recently rescued from Libya, has urged citizens not to risk their lives by travelling through dangerous migration routes.
Oluwagbenga, who went viral after a video showed her crying out for help, recounted her ordeal to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
“Whatever your situation, do not travel through dangerous routes,” she pleaded.
The 20-year-old said she dropped out of university to care for her sick mother but was lured to Libya with the promise of greener pastures. Instead, she found herself trapped in modern slavery.
“For one year and six months, I worked without pay because I had to settle the agent who trafficked me for ₦2.5 million. I was maltreated, changed jobs, and at one point locked up while my blood was drawn without consent,” she said tearfully.
An indigene of Kabba, Kogi State, she lamented that Nigerians in her situation were “treated like animals,” though she eventually escaped into a camp before being rescued.
She expressed gratitude to NiDCOM boss Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Dr Segun Abraham of Trinity Foundation for facilitating her return, vowing to work with NiDCOM to raise awareness against irregular migration.
Oluwagbenga, who lost her mother during her ordeal, appealed for assistance to resume her university education, abandoned since 2018 at 300 level.
Dabiri-Erewa commended her courage, describing her as “one of the lucky ones,” while warning Nigerian youths that irregular migration amounts to “voluntary suicide.”
She assured that NiDCOM would support Mercy’s rehabilitation and continue to intensify advocacy to protect Nigerians from human trafficking.
The NiDCOM chair also praised President Bola Tinubu for introducing NELFUND, which she said would help young Nigerians complete their education instead of seeking unsafe migration routes.