Ethiopian migrant held for ransom in Libya released after family pays 700,000 birr ransom

Addis Abeba– Nehima Jemal, an Ethiopian migrant who was held captive and put up for a “slavery auction” in Libya, has been released after her family paid a ransom of 700,000 birr, she told the BBC in a phone interview.
Nehima, whose photos and videos circulated on social media showing her with her hands and feet bound and her mouth gagged, said she was freed two days ago after her captors received the payment sent by her relatives in Ethiopia.
“There were many people detained where I was, but only a few whose families had money paid for them were released,” she told the BBC. She added that she remains in Libya and is uncertain about her future. “I don’t know what will happen next; even making phone calls is scary,” she said, describing her physical and emotional distress.
Refugees in Libya, an organization that monitors refugee issues, had previously reported that Nehima and other migrants were in the Kufra region, an area under the control of armed groups.
The organization said the captors had demanded $6,000 for Nehima’s release, and her family had received videos showing her in difficult conditions.
Her sister, Iftu Jemal, told the BBC that Nehima left Ethiopia eight months ago, dropping out of 11th grade in Shashemene, Oromia Region, to migrate to Libya.
“They sent us photos and videos showing her being tortured,” Iftu said. “We also received voice messages where she said, ‘They will kill me if you don’t send them money.'”
According to Refugees in Libya, Nehima was captured by militants shortly after entering the country in May. The group said she and other migrants were subjected to mistreatment, with images showing them in distressing conditions.
Despite her ordeal, Nehima does not plan to return to Ethiopia. “God willing, I plan to go to another country,” she said.
However, she cautioned others against taking the same journey. “They better stay in their country,” she said. “There is sickness on the road, there is death. Many of my friends died on the way.”
The perilous journey to Libya remains a dangerous path for many Ethiopian migrants seeking better opportunities abroad. This route poses significant risks, as migrants often fall victim to attacks by criminal gangs who rob them of all their belongings. Women, in particular, face heightened risks of sexual violence during the journey.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 6,048 people have died or gone missing while transiting the Sahara Desert to Libya and Algeria since 2014. However, this figure is believed to be significantly underreported. Libya’s ongoing instability has also led to the rise of detention centers where traffickers hold migrants for ransom.
In December 2024, Addis Standard reported similar incidents in which migrants, particularly from Tigray, were held for ransom in Libya. Among them are Alexander Kidu, 29, and Mareg Abreha, 28, whose families now report they are detained and “savagely beaten” by traffickers in Libya.
Alexander’s mother, Letegeorgis Michael, said she received “videos of him being savagely beaten” by traffickers demanding a ransom of 1.3 million birr. “Since his departure, basic necessities have become scarce, and poverty weighs heavily upon me,” she said, adding that she cannot afford the ransom. Mareg’s uncle, Tekeste Tesfamariam, said traffickers also sent videos of Mareg’s mistreatment, demanding the same amount. AS