Nigerians in Libya Face Mass Arrests and Fines After CAF Ruling in Favor of Super Eagles
Following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to award Nigeria’s Super Eagles three points and three goals in response to their treatment in Libya, reports have emerged of mass arrests and fines targeting Nigerians living in the North African country.
According to Adenaike Emmanuel, a Nigerian resident in Tripoli, the arrests began on Sunday, shortly after the CAF ruling was publicized in Libya. This development is causing widespread concern among the Nigerian community, with many residents expressing fear for their safety.
The CAF Disciplinary Committee made the ruling on October 26, in favor of the Super Eagles, who were detained at the Al-Abraq Airport in eastern Libya for over 20 hours while en route to the second leg of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.
Initially, the team was scheduled to land at Benghazi Airport, but was forced to divert to Al-Abraq Airport, delaying their arrival and preventing them from reaching the match location on time.
In response to Nigeria’s official complaint, CAF found the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) in violation of Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. As a result, CAF awarded Nigeria three points and three goals, while imposing a $50,000 fine on the LFF, to be paid within 60 days.
However, this ruling has sparked outrage among Libyan football authorities, with LFF President Nasser Al-Suwai’I describing the decision as “unjust and malicious.” Al-Suwai’I has stated that the LFF intends to file an appeal and may escalate the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if necessary.
Meanwhile, members of the Nigerian community in Libya are living in fear, with many experiencing increased intimidation and harassment. According to Adenaike, individuals are being arrested and detained without regard for their immigration status or any other factors.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the President of the Nigerian community in Libya, Peter Omoregbie, has confirmed the arrests, describing them as indiscriminate and unjust. He expressed concerns that the situation is spreading rapidly, with some areas in Tedora experiencing widespread arrests, including of individuals with and without documents.
Omoregbie also stressed that the community is appealing to international bodies to intervene in the situation, as the Nigerian Embassy’s hands are often tied in such cases.
As the situation continues to unfold, concerns are growing about the safety and well-being of the Nigerian community in Libya. It remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved and what measures will be taken to protect the rights and well-being of the affected individuals.
