Following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to award Nigeria three points after the Super Eagles’ delayed arrival in Libya, Nigerian nationals in the North African country are reporting widespread arrests and fines. The CAF ruling, made after Libya allegedly impeded Nigeria’s football team’s entry for an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, appears to have triggered a backlash against Nigerian citizens working in Libya.
Upon arrival for the match, the Super Eagles were reportedly diverted by Libyan authorities to Al-Abraq Airport, nearly 150 miles away from their intended landing in Benghazi. The unanticipated delay prompted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to lodge a complaint with CAF, which subsequently awarded Nigeria the match points and issued a $50,000 fine to Libya.
Following the decision, Libya News Today 1, a prominent social media platform, urged government action against Nigerians in Libya. The post, which quickly gained traction, advocated for the arrests and fines of Nigerian nationals, citing them as a means to recoup the financial penalty.
Reports indicate that authorities began enforcing these measures shortly after the CAF announcement. Adenaike Emmanuel, a Nigerian based in Tripoli, confirmed that police had begun detaining Nigerian nationals indiscriminately, regardless of their immigration status. “They don’t even care whether you have passports or residence permits,” Emmanuel told reporters. “They believe that by doing this, they are getting their revenge.”
In response, Peter Omoregbie, President of the Nigerian Community in Libya, issued a plea to both Libyan authorities and the Nigerian government, decrying the treatment of Nigerian citizens. In a video circulating on Nigeria-based social media, Omoregbie warned of escalating arrests in Tedora and other areas, urging international intervention.
Additionally, prominent Libyan news outlet Libya INF.TV reported that Libyan citizens were calling for the deportation of Nigerians who failed to pay a $500 tax. For many Nigerians working in Libya, the CAF ruling has compounded existing challenges, prompting some to seek advice from the Nigerian government on how to proceed.
Amid the turmoil, Ahmed Hamza, Chair of Libya’s National Institution for Human Rights, cautioned against retaliatory actions targeting foreigners. He condemned media platforms for framing Nigerians as unlawful residents, emphasizing that such narratives could incite hostility and compromise Libya’s international standing.
Efforts to reach both the Libyan Embassy in Abuja and the Nigerian Embassy in Tripoli for official statements were unsuccessful. Nigerian government officials, including spokespersons from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have promised to look into the reports. However, no concrete action has yet been announced.
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, has advised Nigerians in Libya to remain cautious, suggesting that the Nigerian government formally protest to the African Union if evidence of maltreatment is compiled. He noted that the Federal Government should investigate the situation thoroughly before seeking diplomatic recourse.
As Nigerians in Libya brace for the uncertainty ahead, the recent CAF ruling has exacerbated an already tense environment for expatriates in the country, underlining the broader challenges that Nigerian citizens face abroad.