Nigeria senate says sales of Nigerians as slaves in Libya most barbaric in 21st century

The Senate has officially reacted to the modern slave trade ongoing in Libya, describing the ugly trend as most barbaric in the 21st century.

In a motion, titled: “urgent need to protect Nigerian citizens from Libya slavery auctions,” sponsored by Senator Baba Kaka Garbai representing Borno Central Senatorial district, he urged the Federal government to investigate the activities.

Garbai expressed concern and grief that, “it’s completely stone-age, inhuman, and barbaric, what is going on in Africa in the 21st century.”

He said that the video showing auctioning of Nigeria citizens on CNN with attendant outrage across the world was sickening and unacceptable.

Most awful, the lawmaker added, was the sale of of 12 Nigerians as low as $400 to $800.

The lawmaker stressed that the development did not only offend the United Nation’s convention, but also against principles of fundamental human rights.

He revealed that over 10,000 Nigerians have died in 2017 while trying to migrate illegally to the Mediterranean sea, urging government to halt migration menace at all costs.

Contributing, Senator Dino Melaye accused the Federal government of lackluster attitude in the obvious dehumanizing attitude of Libyan government to Nigerians.

He added that other African countries were proactive in evacuating their citizens, noting that the victims were still Nigeria’s nationals despite being on illegal migration.

Senate passed the prayers that Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs should invite Libyan Ambassador to Nigeria for questioning over the treatment of Nigerians in that country.

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki also upheld that diplomatic steps be taken against all those involved to ensure that they face the full weight of international law.