You are on your own, Buhari tells illegal migrants

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday warned Nigerians who continue to migrate from the country through illegal routes, despite the inherent dangers, that they are on their own.

The president said this in Abuja when he played host to Angela Merkel, prime minister of Germany on Friday.

He said those who get stuck in the journey would be rescued and sent to their local government areas.

Buhari added that over 3,000 illegal migrants stranded in Libya had been repatriated to the country.

“Firstly I’m against those my country men and women that illegally travel to Europe. I believe you know the ECOWAS protocol encourages free movement of persons, goods and services,” he said.

“For those going to Europe, we are not as an administration agreeing with those who continue to defy the Sahara dessert and the Mediterranean because they feel there are greener pastures there, whether they are prepared for it or not. We do not support anything illegal and indiscipline.”