Libya Faces Backlash: Senate Urges Apology for 'Inhumane' Treatment of Super Eagles

Senate Demands Answers from Libya Over Super Eagles' Mistreatment

“The essence of sports is to promote unity and competition and enhance brotherhood among the countries on the continent...”

Senate President Akpabio seeks probe into Libya's 'inhumane' treatment of Nigerian football team, sparking international outrage and calls for action.

The Nigerian Senate is demanding an apology from Libya after the Super Eagles, Nigeria's national football team, endured a horrific 20-hour experience in Libya. The team was en route to an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match when they were subjected to ill-treatment by Libyan authorities.

Senate's Response

In a unanimous resolution, the Senate urged the Libyan government to tender an unreserved apology to the Nigerian government and people for the ill-treatment meted out to the team. Senator Sumaila raised a point of order, highlighting the need for Libya to take responsibility for their actions.

Government's Stance

The Nigerian government is yet to comment on the matter, but Senator Akpabio has called for a probe into the incident. The international community is watching closely, awaiting Libya's response to the Senate's demand for an apology.

The Nigerian national team's travel woes began Sunday night when their plane was diverted to Al Abraq airport, 300km from the intended destination of Benghazi. Upon arrival, players and officials were subjected to inhumane conditions, denied food, refreshments, and accommodations for 20 hours.

Stranded at the dilapidated airport, the team's frustration grew. The unsanitary conditions and lack of basic amenities prompted the players to consider boycotting Tuesday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

Following further delays, including a refueling holdup, the Super Eagles finally departed Libya on Monday afternoon. After a long and arduous journey, they arrived in Kano in the evening, relieved to escape the harrowing experience.

The Nigerian Senate swiftly condemned the ill-treatment of the Super Eagles by Libyan authorities, calling it unacceptable and not in line with best practices in sports. This motion was brought to the floor by Senator Sulaiman Kawu Sumaila, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, during Tuesday's plenary session. The Senate's swift action came on the heels of global outrage sparked by the incident on Monday.

Condemnation and Calls for Action

Former Nigerian defender Godfrey Oboabona strongly denounced Libya's actions, urging the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take severe measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Oboabona emphasized that such tactics violate fair play and respect in football.

The Incident

The Super Eagles endured a harrowing experience in Libya, stranded at an abandoned airport for over 15 hours without assistance. This was seen as a deliberate attempt by the Libyan team to unsettle the Nigerian squad ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match. After the players expressed concerns on social media, they were eventually rescued, leading the Nigerian team to boycott the match due to safety concerns.

Aftermath

CAF has received an official complaint from the Nigerian Football Federation and referred the case to its disciplinary board for investigation. The Nigerian Football Federation also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring the team's safe return from Libya.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session said: “The essence of sports is to promote unity and competition and enhance brotherhood among the countries on the continent. The way our players were treated is terrible and condemnable.

“Fortunately, you (Kawu) have come through a personal explanation, and this is what we intended it to do because we don't want a diplomatic row. So, we call on the ambassador and whoever is concerned and the authorities to come out and apologise for what they have done to our national team.”

Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio is calling for a thorough probe into the ill-treatment of the Super Eagles by Libyan authorities. Through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation into the matter, ensuring those responsible are held accountable. As the Senate President since June 2023, Akpabio's stance on this issue reflects his commitment to protecting Nigeria's interests and upholding the dignity of its citizens, including athletes representing the nation internationally.

Akpabio said: “We demand a thorough investigation from the Disciplinary Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and appropriate sanctions to be meted out against those involved.

“It is also imperative that the Libyan authorities take immediate action to investigate this incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable to prevent future occurrences.”