President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condemned the inhuman treatment endured by the Super Eagles of Nigeria at a Libyan airport and warmly welcomed their safe return to Nigeria.
Also, the team’s captain, William Troost-Ekong on his X page, said: “Back home safe & sound. Proud of this team, NAIJA SPIRIT can’t be broken.
“Throw at us what you want, it’s in our blood to overcome. I’ve seen a lot in my 10 years with this group, but nothing like this, an experience that has brought us even closer together.”
He said this while announcing the team’s arrival in Kano Monday for an onward movement to Lagos and Abuja.
Experience harrowing – Tinubu
Condemning the development in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said the harrowing experience of the national football team at the hands of their hosts and the Libyan authorities prompted the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to withdraw the Super Eagles from the match scheduled for Tuesday (October 15, 2024).
The president called on the disciplinary board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate action against those who wilfully violated the organisation’s Statutes and Regulations.
“President Tinubu commended the proactive coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate episode and ensuring the safe return of our players.
“The president applauded the players for keeping their spirit alive despite the excruciating ordeal in Libya.
“The Nigerian leader recognised football’s unifying power in bringing nations and people together and viewed the treatment of Nigerians as unsportsmanlike, inhumane, a stark contrast to the spirit of the game he deeply appreciates.
“He calls on all lovers of the round-leather game and administrators to unite and work collaboratively to prevent and overcome such incidents in the future,” the statement said.
…Act despicable, says NIDCOM
Similarly, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has condemned the treatment meted out to the Super Eagles experience in Libya.
The commission’s boss in a press statement by the Director NIDCOM, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Monday in Abuja, noted that travelling by road in Libya was most dangerous and totally not advisable because of the current situation in the country.
“The team which left Nigeria on Sunday to Libya for its return match had their flight diverted to an innocuous airport far away from the venue of the match.
“The implication of the diversion will now 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.
“Dabiri-Erewa said the safety of Nigerian players is paramount to the country, and was optimistic that the Ministry of Sports and the NFF will advise appropriately,” the statement read in part.
She also called on CAF to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves, noting that the players, the 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.
“The team were delayed at an airport in Libya for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason,” Dabiri- Erewa lamented.
She appealed to the Super Eagles to remain calm while the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) decides the next line of action.
Blueprint reports that the Super Eagles flight was redirected while air borne on Sunday and they were required to travel by road to their destination.
However, there was no provision made for them by the Libya authorities and all efforts to make alternative provisions by the NFF was frustrated.
…Libya denies sabotage
In a defence, however, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) attributed the Super Eagles’ extended delay at Al Abraq International Airport, to routine air traffic and logistical challenges rather than deliberate foul play.
In a statement Monday via X, the LFF sought to clarify the events, emphasising that the diversion of the Nigerian team’s flight was not intended as a hostile act.
“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation,” the LFF said.
They said just a week earlier, the Libyan national team faced their own challenges upon arriving in Nigeria for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation. It is important to highlight that just last week, our own national team faced significant challenges upon our arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
“Despite the difficulties we encountered, we did not make public accusations nor question the integrity of the Nigerian authorities,” the statement added.
According to the LFF, the diversion of the Nigerian delegation’s chartered ValueJet aircraft to Al Abraq International Airport, rather than Benghazi as planned, stemmed from air traffic control protocols and security checks common in international travel.
“These are standard procedures at airports worldwide, and delays or rerouting, though unfortunate, are not uncommon,” the federation added.
The statement stressed that the LFF respects Nigeria and had no intention of creating difficulties for the Super Eagles, who have been stranded at the airport for over 15 hours.
The Libyan FA expressed concern over the situation but noted that such logistical issues are not uncommon.
They also reiterated Libya’s hospitality towards visiting teams, saying “We have always prioritised treating all visiting teams, including our African brothers and other international delegations, with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
The Libyan FA urged for a resolution through mutual understanding and highlighted football’s role in fostering unity.
“Hosting these events is a great honour for us, and we strive to ensure that all teams feel safe and respected as our guests.
“Our doors are open to our Nigerian brothers and all African teams, and we continue to promote the spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and friendship in the world of football,” the statement said.
…Libyan Chargé d’Affaires summoned
Meanwhile, the federal government has summoned the Libyan chargé d’Affaires for clarifications regarding the hostage situation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar said at an interview with State House correspondents Monday in Abuja.
Describing the situation as unfortunate, Tuggar said the government had established contact with the team and was working to resolve the issue soonest.
The minister said: “Well, it’s the most unfortunate situation because the Super Eagles flew to Libya to play a match. As you know, the Libyan team was here, they were supposed to land in Uyo, instead they went and landed in Port Harcourt, where they were not supposed to land and now our team has gone to Libya, and somehow the plane gets diverted to a different airport.
“Unfortunately, at that airport, there is no aviation fuel because what we have decided is they need to refuel and get out, we will not be able to allow them to continue, no food. You know, it’s a good thing when they landed in Kano they actually even got some water, some cartons of water otherwise even water would have been a problem. Suffice it to say that we have established contact with them. We’ve sent people from the mission to go there, representing the mission. They are in touch with the delegation.
“Now I am also communicating directly with the chairman and since last night, we’ve been on the phone with the chargé d’affaires because Libya doesn’t have an ambassador here, so we’re in touch with the chargé d’affaires, and I’m heading back to the ministry now, where we have summoned the chargé d’affaires, the Libyan chargé d’affaires.
“This issue has to be resolved as quickly as possible. So. we’re on top of the situation.”
…CAF assures of probe
In its reaction, the CAF, in a statement Monday, described the long-hour delay experienced by the Nigerians team as “disturbing and unacceptable,” promising to refer the incident to its disciplinary committee for further investigation.
This was contained in a statement sourced from the CAF website and titled “CAF Views the Disturbing and Unacceptable Experiences of the Nigerian National Football Team (‘Super Eagles’) at an Airport in Libya in a Very Serious Light.”
“The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it was informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘Super Eagles’) and their technical team were stranded in distressing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land at by the Libyan authorities.
“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation, and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations,” CAF said.