The House of Representatives on Wednesday kicked against modern day slavery reportedly happening in Libya where some Nigerians are said to be sold out into slavery and consequently urged the Federal Government to liaise with the Government of Libya to find a solution to the menace of modern day slavery in Libya.
The House Committees on Human Rights, and Foreign Affairs are mandated to interface with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant stakeholders to identify the factors that encourage the migrants to embark on the perilous journey, proffer solutions that would discourage same and then provide for how the Nigerian youths caught in the web would return to the country and report back in four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
The House resolution followed a motion sponsored by Honourable Saheed Akinade-Fijabi entitled “Need to Investigate the Inhuman and Barbaric Act of Slave Trade Involving the Auctioning of Black Africans in Libya”.
The lawmaker while moving the motion said that African migrants from nations including Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Niger and Gambia make the dangerous crossing through the Sahara Desert to Libya with hopes of making it over the Mediterranean Sea to Italy and other European countries in search of greener pastures;
According to the lawmaker, on November 14, 2017, the US Television Network, CNN broke the news of auctioning of human beings in Libya with a live footage of the auctioning process in which young men were being sold to North African buyers as potential farm hands and one of the unidentified young men sold off for as little as $400 (₦144,000) is said to be a Nigerian in his twenties;
“The footage of the auctioning of black Africans in the conflict-torn nation sparked outrage across the world with thousands of people taking to the streets of Paris , France to protest against the modern day slavery, and in reaction, the African Union, on November 17, 2017 called on the Libyan Authorities to investigate the matter”, he stated.
In her contribution Honourable Nnenna Ukeje called for adequate orientation of youth about the dangers inherent in illegal migration.
Honourable Edward Pwajok described the development as unacceptable, saying that, “This is a crime against humanity. It is good we strengthen NAPTIP”.
The House therefore adopted the motion when the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Yussuff Lasun who presided put it to voice vote.
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