A Libyan driver has been arrested for attempting to smuggle six undocumented female migrants from Nigeria.
The arrest was made on Tuesday in the Bishr area of Libya during a routine police patrol, which intercepted the vehicle and detained the driver.
According to Migrant Rescue Watch, an organisation that monitors migrant activities, the driver claimed that the women were his family members in an effort to evade arrest. However, authorities saw through the ruse and took the driver and the women into custody.
The individuals involved have been transferred to the Bishr Police Department, Libya for further legal action as authorities continue to investigate the case.
The statement said, “Libya 05.08.24 – Police patrols arrested in Bishr area a Libyan driver for an attempted smuggling of 6 undocumented female #migrants of Nigerian nationality.
“The driver claimed that the female passengers were his family. All transferred to Bishr Police Dept. for legal action.”
Libya continues to be a major hub for migrant smuggling in Africa, serving as a key gateway between the continent and Europe. As of August 2023, the country has seen an influx of over 700,000 migrants, primarily from Sub-Saharan Africa, attempting to reach Europe.
The growing demand in the smuggling market to transport migrants across the Mediterranean Sea has also paved the way for increased trafficking and widespread human rights abuses.