A Libya returnee, identified as Osama, has lamented how he turned a pauper after embarking on the journey even when he was wealthy before leaving Nigeria.
Osama was among those recently evacuated from Libya by the International Organisation for Migration.
According to the Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the Edo State indigene, he raised N800,000 to get to Europe, through the North African country.
“I left Nigeria in May, 2017. I spent about N800,000. I got the money from my sisters. I told them that I was going to France to start a better life, to start making shoes,” he told Southern City News.
“I was a shoemaker before I left Nigeria and I had a store. It was difficult. Some people died there (Libya) but I thank God that I am still alive.
“I lost eight of my friends in Libya. Six of them died in the desert because of the heat from the sun. There was no shade to cover us and water, so, they lost their strength and died.”
He added that his “parents knew when I left and they gave me their blessing. I worked in a hotel in Libya and earned 500 dinars per day.
“If I have another opportunity, I would like to go to France by air. I am not happy that I am back but there is nothing I can do. I am a youth and I left because I did not have a job.
“So, if the government can help me with a job that would be good because I came back with nothing. I left Nigeria as a rich person but came back miserable.”
