The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to immediately invite the Libyan Ambassador to Nigeria for questioning on inhumane treatment meted out to Super Eagles contingent at Libya airport.
It also urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make an official complaint to Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) for the dehumanisation of the Super Eagles players and NFF contingent by the Libyan authorities on the 13 and 14th of October in Libya.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved at the resumed plenary on Tuesday by Hon. Kabiru Ahmadu.
Moving the motion, the lawmaker said the Super Eagles of Nigeria was expected to play a return match fixture of the Africa Cup of Nation qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya on Tuesday, 15th of October 2024 after they were defeated by the Super Eagles 1-0 at Uyo, Akwa-Ibom, Nigeria.
Ahmadu explained that the Super Eagles of Nigeria flew to Libya on Sunday 13th October 2024 to play the return match of the qualifiers at the Martyrs of February Stadium, Benghazi, Libya at 8:00 PM on Tuesday 15th October 2024.
He added that among the Super Eagles contingent are House of Representatives members led by the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Sports and also the Deputy Governor of Edo State, members of NFF Board and the entire crew of NFF.
Ahmadu expressed concern about the frustrating 18-hour ordeal faced by the super Eagles of Nigeria at Al-Abraq International Airport in Libya, where they were left stranded on arrival at 14:00hr on Sunday 13th of October 2024 till the team and the contingent departed from the airport, after 18 hours.
He stressed that the team and the delegation were en-route to Benghazi in Libya, before their aircraft was unexpectedly diverted mid-flight to Al- Abraq, a small Airport typically reserved for hajj operations.
The lawmaker noted that that despite diverting the flight to a small Airport with little or no amenities, the Libyan authorities did not allow the team to get out of the Airport or move to their hotel, no access to the internet, no food, the Airport was cordoned and they were held hostage for 18 hours.
Ahmadu said expressed worry that the NFF in a statement on Monday, 14th October 2024 NFF decried the chaotic situation and inhuman treatment meted out to the super Eagles and the entire contingent, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, which is three hours away from the Airport.
He noted that the fatigued and frustrated players resolved not to play the match any longer due to the hostilities by the Libyan Football Federation/Libyan government.
The House condemned in totality the inhumane treatment, frustration of the Super Eagles and the delegation by the Libyan Football Federation/Libyan government.
It urged the, “Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make an official complaint to Confederation of African Football, CAF and Federation of International Football Association, FIFA for the dehumanization of the Super Eagles players and NFF contingent by the Libyan Authorities on the 13-14th of October in Libya
“Call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately invite the Libyan Ambassador to Nigeria for questioning on the development above.
“Mandate the House Committees on Sports and Foreign Affairs to investigate the incident.”
