Deported Nigerian migrants recount near death experience

ayodele johnson

October 21, 2016 9:52 PM

The Nigerian returnees recalled their nasty experiences on their trip to Europe at the Synagogue Church of All Nations.

A group of deported Nigerian migrants have recalled a near death experience during their venture to get a better life in Europe.

They shared other survival stories while speaking to the congregation at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Lagos.

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A returnee, Tracy Stephen, who is from Edo State said, “My attempt to reach Italy was almost fatal when the over-filled rubber dinghy I had boarded ran out of fuel.

“There were no life-jackets and none of us could swim. Children and babies were among the 140 crammed on-board.

“We were finally rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard and I was imprisoned for three months before being repatriated to Nigeria through the intervention of the International Organization for Migration, IOM, who subsequently provided a vehicle to bring the deportees to The SCOAN in recognition of the church’s humanitarian efforts.

“The experience is so bad a lady’s two children had to drink my urine to survive.

“I’m among the lucky ones who remained alive after over 3,600 other Europe-bound migrants lost their lives while trying to flee Africa,” she said.

The group were handed different cash gifts which they can use to set up business following their return to Nigeria.

ayodele johnson