•Describes act as inhumane, unsportsmanlike
•Welcomes safe return of national team, FG summons Libya’s Charge d’affairs
•CAF refers case to its disciplinary board for investigation, appropriate action
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, last night, reacted to the inhuman treatment allegedly meted out to the Super Eagles at a Libyan airport, with a call on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to ensure that those behind the act were brought to justice.
In a release by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said he expected the disciplinary board of CAF to conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate action against those who wilfully violated the organisation’s statutes and regulations.
The president, who was moved by the development, however, welcomed the safe return of the national team players to Nigeria.
The harrowing experience of the national football team at the hands of their hosts and the Libyan authorities had prompted the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to withdraw the Super Eagles from the scheduled match on Tuesday.
The president commended the proactive coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the situation and ensuring the safe return of the players.
Tinubu applauded the players for keeping their spirit alive despite their ordeal in Libya.
He recognised football’s unifying power in bringing nations and people together and viewed the treatment of the national team as unsportsmanlike and inhumane, stressing that it is a stark contrast to the spirit of the game he appreciates.
He called on all lovers of football and administrators to work collaboratively to prevent and overcome such incidents in the future.
Similarly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, said the Nigerian government was already monitoring the situation in Libya.
Tuggar, in a statement posted on his X account, said, “I have been closely monitoring the situation involving the Super Eagles in Libya.
“Through the Head of Nigerian Mission in Tripoli, Libya, Amb. Stephen Anthony Awuru, the Mission has maintained contact with the NFF, and the Libyan authorities since last night.
“Despite efforts, Libyan authorities have not yet authorised the Nigerian Mission’s trip to Bayda City, where the airport is located.
“In the meantime, the Head of the Nigerian Community in Benghazi, Mr. Morris Eromosele, arrived at the location at 6am this morning (Monday) with necessary supplies and internet access. We will continue to follow developments and await a report for further action.”
Tuggar confirmed that the federal government had summoned the North African country’s Charge d’affairs in Nigeria over the inhuman treatment meted out to the Super Eagles players in Libya at the weekend.
Stating that the Nigerian government was on top of the issue, he disclosed that he had opened communication with the Charge d’affairs since Sunday evening and expected answers to some questions on the way the Nigerian players were treated in Libya.
Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, also condemned the poor treatment of the Super Eagles.
In a statement by the NIDCOM spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dahiru-Erewa stated that travelling by road in Libya was most dangerous and totally not advisable because of the current situation in the country.
She lamented that the team, which left Nigeria on Sunday to Libya for its return match, had their flight diverted to an airport far away from the venue of the match.
Dahiru-Erewa said the implication of the diversion would be another three hours of road travel to the main venue of the match, not minding the risk of road travel in Libya, considering the situation of the war-torn country.
She said the safety of Nigerian players was paramount to the country, and remained optimistic that the Ministry of Sports and NFF would advise appropriately.
She also called on CAF to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserved, and regretted that already, the players, pilots and others on board the flight had been stranded and subjected to inhuman treatment at the airport for over 13 hours without water, food, rest and means of communication.
Dahiru-Erewa said, “The team was delayed at an airport in Libya for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason.”
She recalled that the Super Eagles flight was redirected air borne on Sunday and they were required to travel by road to their destination.
lamenting that there was no provision made for them by the Libya authorities and all efforts to make alternative provisions by NFF was frustrated.
The NIDCOM chairman appealed to the Super Eagles to remain calm while NFF decided the next line of action.
