Fear and uncertainty have gripped Nigerians in Libya following the widespread circulation of warnings demanding that migrants, particularly those from Nigeria and other African nations, leave the country before October 1, 2026.

These warnings, spreading rapidly across social media and within migrant communities, have left many Nigerians uncertain whether the October 1 deadline represents an official government directive or is simply being circulated by hostile individuals and local groups.

Several Nigerians in Libya have reported that tensions have escalated drastically in recent days. Some landlords have allegedly demanded they vacate their apartments immediately, while Libyan employers and colleagues have warned them to stay away from work to avoid possible attacks and police arrests.

Workplace Warnings and Rising Hostility

One Nigerian worker disclosed that his Libyan colleagues explicitly advised him against reporting to his job site.

“My Libyan colleagues told me not to come to work tomorrow,” the Nigerian said. “They told me that because of what is happening, I should stay where I am and not come out. They said I should be very careful.”

This mounting anxiety extends to housing as well. Another Nigerian confirmed his landlord has already ordered tenants to seek alternative accommodations.

“Our landlord has already told us that we should start looking for another place. He said we should not wait until October 1 before moving out. That is why everybody is afraid now because we don’t know what will happen when the date comes,” the source added.

While the warnings target Africans generally, Nigerians in Libya appear to be frequently mentioned in the complaints. Much of the hostility appears linked to local economic grievances, with some Libyans accusing foreign migrants of taking away menial jobs that should belong to citizens.

Viral Warnings and Arrest Fears

The situation has been further inflamed by reports of arbitrary police arrests targeting African migrants.

“The arrests have started. We started hearing about Africans being picked up, and that is what is making everybody afraid,” a Nigerian resident explained. “If you are an undocumented migrant, you don’t know what will happen to you if the police stop you.”

The fear extends even to those holding valid documentation, as the broader anti-foreigner sentiment makes it difficult to predict who will be targeted next.

A viral message circulating widely online, which has been falsely attributed in some circles to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), urges migrants without valid documents or employment contracts to leave Libya for neighboring countries. However, “Refugees in Libya,” a migrant-led monitoring organization, has cautioned that there is no publicly verifiable Libyan government decree establishing October 1 as a nationwide legal deadline for foreigners to leave.

Seeking Diplomatic Help

Compounding the crisis is a growing sense of isolation among Nigerians in Libya. Some individuals seeking guidance from Nigerian diplomatic authorities expressed frustration over the response.

Sources claim that those who contacted the Nigerian Embassy were informed that the embassy had limited options to assist them, particularly for migrants residing in the country without valid immigration documents. This alleged response has significantly increased their sense of vulnerability as the October 1 date approaches.

As the deadline looms, many migrants are choosing to remain strictly indoors, relying on informal networks and word-of-mouth for critical safety updates. The ultimate consequences of these social media warnings remain unclear, but for the thousands of Nigerians living and working in Libya, the threat of displacement and detention feels terrifyingly real.