Nigerians, 10 Other African Nationalities Among 154 Migrants Detained in Malta
At least 11 Nigerians are among 154 foreign nationals being held in detention centres across Malta, according to figures released by authorities in the European island country. Nationals from several other African countries are also in detention, highlighting the presence of migrants from across the continent in a country situated along a major Mediterranean migration route.
Bangladesh has the highest number of detainees, with 60 nationals, followed by Syria with 17. Nigerians rank third with 11, while Libya accounts for 10 detainees and India eight. Other African nationals include five Eritreans, four each from Somalia and The Gambia, and three each from Algeria, Morocco, Ghana and Mali.
Botswana, Sudan and Cameroon have two nationals each in detention, while Uganda, Senegal, Ethiopia and the Republic of the Congo are also represented. The figures show that the detainees come from diverse national backgrounds, although the circumstances surrounding their detention and the reasons for their migration were not specified in the available information.
Malta, a member of the European Union, lies between North Africa and Southern Europe, making it a significant point along Mediterranean migration routes. Migrants from African countries and other regions use these routes in attempts to reach Europe, often facing dangerous journeys at sea. However, the figures alone do not establish how the detainees entered Malta, whether they sought asylum or the legal grounds for their detention.
