Drama in Senate as Senator Natasha’s Motion on Nigerian Women in Libyan Prisons Faces Silence

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s motion on Nigerians in Libya was delayed briefly in the Senate.

It continued after Senator Opeyemi Bamidele seconded the motion.

There was mild drama in the Senate on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s motion calling attention to the abuse of Nigerian immigrants in Libya momentarily stalled when none of her colleagues rose to support it.

During deliberations on a motion addressing the violation of the rights of Nigerians abroad, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Senate to specifically investigate the condition of Nigerian women currently held in Libyan prisons.

She revealed that many of these women were allegedly being exploited as sex slaves by prison warders, noting that several have even given birth while in detention.

The senator appealed to the upper chamber to direct the Nigerian Immigration Service to engage the Libyan authorities for the immediate repatriation and rehabilitation of the affected women.

However, after she presented her proposal, the chamber fell silent when Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for a seconder to the motion. None of the senators, including the female lawmakers, initially stood up to support it.

The brief silence created an awkward moment before the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, eventually rose to second the motion, allowing the session to continue.

The incident generated varied responses from observers who described it as a reflection of the Senate’s reluctance to address sensitive human rights issues involving Nigerians abroad.