Following a recent verdict from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) addressing the Nigeria Football Federation’s complaint about the harsh treatment of the Super Eagles in Libya, reports have surfaced of widespread arrests and fines targeting Nigerian nationals in the country.
The Nigerian football team endured a 20-hour hold at Al-Abraq Airport in eastern Libya upon their arrival for the second leg of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya’s national team. This incident has sparked significant concern within the Nigerian community in Libya, who now face increased scrutiny and punitive measures in the aftermath of CAF’s ruling.
The Nigerian team’s flight was initially scheduled to arrive at Benghazi Airport, from where they would have taken a nearly four-hour road journey to Benina for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match.
However, shortly before landing, the Tunisian pilot received instructions from Libyan authorities to reroute the flight to Al-Abraq Airport, approximately 150 miles from the intended destination. This unexpected change led to widespread frustration, ultimately prompting the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to withdraw the Super Eagles from the match and lodge a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
In response, CAF’s disciplinary committee, chaired by Ousmane Kane, issued a ruling on Saturday, October 26, awarding Nigeria three points and three goals for the abandoned fixture.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary board found the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) in violation of Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. In addition to awarding Nigeria the match points, CAF imposed a $50,000 fine on the LFF, due within 60 days.
LFF President Nasser Al-Suwai’I condemned the ruling as “unjust and malicious,” alleging that Nigeria’s influence within CAF influenced the decision. Al-Suwai’I announced that the LFF would swiftly appeal and, if unsuccessful, would take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to defend what he described as Libya’s “legitimate rights.”
Backlash Against Nigerians in Libya
Following CAF’s ruling, a prominent Libyan news blog, Libya News Today 1, called for the arrest of undocumented Nigerian workers, arguing that the imposed fine should be paid by Nigerians residing in Libya. In a post to its 188,000 followers on Facebook, the blog claimed, “Libyan TV channels are urging the government to detain Nigerian workers here without legal papers, imposing a $500 fine plus taxes. Nigerians are a burden on the Libyan people and should go back home.”
The blog’s post included a video of a Libyan TV presenter urging the government to enforce a $500 tax on Nigerians working illegally in the country, deeming their income as “haram” or sinful money if untaxed.
Libya INF.TV, another local site, reported that several stations echoed calls for the government to begin mass arrests, warning that those without Libyan documentation should pay the fine or face deportation.
Mass Arrests Begin
According to Adenaike Emmanuel, a Nigerian resident in Tripoli, arrests began Sunday after CAF’s announcement. “They started immediately, making it clear they won’t accept the decision without pushing back. People are being arrested in Tripoli and beyond, including those with passports and residence permits,” he reported.
Peter Omoregbie, President of the Nigerian community in Libya, confirmed the arrests in a video shared by Nigeria-focused blogs. Speaking from the Libyan immigration office on Monday, Omoregbie explained, “The arrests began on Sunday night in areas like Tedora, and they’re detaining Nigerians indiscriminately. This level of disregard doesn’t occur in other countries.”
Providing context, Omoregbie clarified, “Nigeria’s team was set to arrive in Benghazi for a match against Libya on October 15, but their flight was rerouted, causing the game to be canceled. CAF’s disciplinary committee conducted an investigation, leading to their decision, which has now sparked retaliation against the Nigerian community.”
Following a recent fine imposed on Libya by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over mistreatment of the Nigerian national football team, tensions are rising for Nigerians living in Libya. The $50,000 fine has sparked backlash from certain Libyan social media influencers and journalists, who have suggested that the fee might be recouped through the arrest of Nigerians within the country. Reports from Nigerian community leaders in Libya and online accounts describe an intensifying situation, with arrests allegedly beginning in areas like Tedora.
A Nigerian community leader shared that, as of last night, the arrests appeared to be underway, with Libyan police allegedly targeting Nigerians indiscriminately, regardless of their documentation status. The leader expressed a sense of helplessness, noting that the Nigerian Embassy often faces obstacles in such situations and calling for intervention from international bodies.
Two days after this report, a Nigerian resident in Libya named Omo Oba Legba posted a Facebook video, warning others to avoid going outside. He shared a conversation he had with his Libyan employer, who warned him that Nigerians were being arrested across the board, even those with Libyan citizenship. Legba expressed frustration, noting that while the Nigerian football team’s difficulties were brief, everyday Nigerians in Libya continue to face hardships. He pleaded for the Nigerian government to step in, asserting that if conditions were better in Nigeria, they wouldn’t be compelled to seek work in Libya.
In a separate video released on Thursday by Libya INF. TV, another Nigerian man was seen pleading with Libyan authorities to stop the detentions. Addressing the Libyan police, he urged them to pursue football players directly rather than targeting Nigerian residents. The man also criticized the Nigerian football team’s decision to participate in a match in Libya given the political climate.
Meanwhile, Libya’s National Institution for Human Rights has spoken out against the reported retaliations. Ahmed Hamza, the institution’s chairman, condemned any acts of vengeance targeting Nigerian workers, urging caution in media portrayals of foreign workers. He warned that such indiscriminate arrests could have serious consequences, including potential legal repercussions both domestically and internationally.
Attempts to get a statement from the Libyan Embassy in Abuja were met with a directive to submit inquiries in writing, but responses remain pending. Similarly, the Nigerian Embassy in Tripoli has yet to issue a statement. Nigerian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Eche Abu-Obe mentioned he had contacted the Director for Africa but did not offer further details, and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has not yet commented.
Former Nigerian ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, emphasized the importance of thoroughly investigating the situation. He advised Nigerians to compile evidence of mistreatment and suggested that the Nigerian government could escalate the issue to the African Union if substantiated. Amedu-Ode also urged Nigerians in Libya to keep a low profile and consider leaving if circumstances deteriorate further.
SOURCE: The Punch
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