Family members of Nigerians in Libyan jails have asked the President of the Nigerian Senate, David Mark, to intervene so they could be released, the local press reported Monday. The report said the appeal came in a letter which the relatives jointly wrote to the Senate President under the under the aegis of Association of Relatives and Friends of Nigerians in Libyan Prisons. They claimed the plight of their relatives, who are serving jail terms in Libya, was causing them incalculable pain. “Sir, we are aware of the yearnings and aspirations of you and your members towards making every Nigerian citizen to be proud of his nationality…In as much as we do not agree with what they might have done that warranted their incarceration, we however suggest that they be released to Nigerian authorities for any disciplinary measures that may be needed,” read the letter, which was signed by Mr. Bayo Salami and Michael Anagulu on behalf of others.
It is not immediately clear how many Nigerians are serving jail terms in Libya, but dozens of Nigerians have been deported from Libya in recent times, most of them for flouting the country’s immigration laws.
