Libyan driver arrested for smuggling Nigerian women
Authorities in Libya have arrested a local driver accused of attempting to smuggle three Nigerian women across the country’s border. The arrest was made during a routine security operation by Libya’s anti-human trafficking unit, which has intensified efforts to curb illegal migration through the North African region.
According to reports from local media, the Libyan driver was intercepted at a checkpoint near Sabha, a known transit route for migrants attempting to reach Europe through the Mediterranean. Officers discovered the three women concealed inside the vehicle, along with documents suggesting they were being transported without legal authorization.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the women, all in their early twenties, were allegedly promised jobs in Europe but later realized they were being trafficked. Officials said the driver was working with a smuggling network that specializes in transporting women across borders for exploitation. The victims have been handed over to immigration authorities for proper care and repatriation arrangements.
Libyan law enforcement agencies have continued to collaborate with international partners to combat human trafficking and smuggling operations in the region. The case highlights the growing risk faced by young African women who are often lured by false job offers only to become victims of trafficking and exploitation.
