There was a brief moment of tension in the Senate on Tuesday when lawmakers initially declined to second a motion by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) seeking intervention over the alleged abuse of Nigerian women detained in Libyan prisons.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had drawn the Senate’s attention to the plight of several Nigerian women said to be languishing in Libyan detention facilities, where they are reportedly subjected to sexual exploitation and forced to bear children.
She urged the red chamber to direct the Nigerian Immigration Service to work with Libyan authorities for the immediate repatriation of the affected women.
However, when Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for a seconder — a procedural step required before debate — none of the lawmakers, including female senators, initially rose to support the motion.
The chamber was silent for several moments before Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) eventually stood up to second the motion, allowing deliberations to proceed.