Members of the House of Representatives have called on the Federal Government to summon the Libyan Ambassador to Nigeria regarding the mistreatment of the Super Eagles at Al-Abraq International Airport. This call follows a motion sponsored by Hon. Kabiru Ahmadu, Chairman of the House Committee on Sports.
On Tuesday, the House unanimously passed a resolution condemning the inhumane treatment faced by the Super Eagles contingent during their travel to Libya for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match. Hon. Ahmadu highlighted that the team arrived at the airport on October 13, 2024, only to endure an 18-hour ordeal without access to basic amenities.
The Super Eagles were in Libya to play a crucial return match against the Mediterranean Knights on October 15, following their previous victory of 1-0 in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom.
Despite their expected arrival in Benghazi, the team was diverted to Al-Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for Hajj operations, which lacks adequate facilities.
The lawmakers expressed concern over the Libyan authorities’ failure to provide food, internet access, or the ability for the players and their delegation to leave the airport, effectively holding them hostage for 18 hours.
This incident has raised alarm among members of the House, with Hon. Chris Nkwonta calling it an embarrassment not only to Nigeria but to the entire African continent.
In light of these events, the House urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to lodge formal complaints with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).
They also mandated the Joint Committees on Sports and Foreign Affairs to investigate the incident further, underscoring the need for accountability regarding the treatment of the Super Eagles and their officials.
