There was mild drama in the Senate today (Tuesday) when lawmakers declined to second a motion moved by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling for the repatriation of Nigerian women allegedly abused in Libyan prisons.

The incident occurred during deliberations on a motion concerning the abuse of the rights of Nigerian immigrants in Libya.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party, urged the Senate to intervene in the plight of Nigerian women said to be languishing in Libyan prisons.

She alleged that some of the women were being sexually exploited by prison officials and forced to bear children while in detention.

The senator, therefore, called on the red chamber to mandate the Nigerian Immigration Service to liaise with the Libyan authorities to ensure their repatriation.

After her presentation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for any lawmaker to second the motion, a procedural step required before debate, but none of the senators, including the female lawmakers, rose to do so

The chamber fell into an awkward silence until the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, eventually stood up to second the motion, allowing proceedings to continue.

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