In the wake of a highly publicized verdict from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) addressing Nigeria’s official complaint, reports have emerged of mass arrests and fines targeting the Nigerian community in Libya. The complaint, filed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), detailed allegations of mistreatment faced by the Super Eagles upon their arrival in Libya for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The Nigerian national football team was detained at Libya’s Al-Abraq Airport, located in the eastern region of the country, for more than 20 hours. The team was en route to Benina to face off against Libya’s national team in the second leg of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but the journey took an unexpected turn. Originally scheduled to arrive at Benghazi Airport, from which they would have traveled nearly four hours by road to the match location, their flight was abruptly redirected. Less than an hour before landing, the flight’s Tunisian pilot reportedly received instructions from Libyan authorities, ordering the diversion to Al-Abraq Airport—some 150 miles from their intended destination.
The NFF’s formal complaint to CAF alleged “inhumane treatment” by Libyan authorities, adding fuel to already simmering diplomatic tensions. Now, Nigerian residents in Libya are reporting intensified police actions, with widespread arrests and fines that some view as retaliatory measures following the CAF decision. These developments have heightened concerns around the treatment of foreign nationals in Libya and drawn attention from international human rights organizations.
As the situation continues to unfold, calls are growing for greater accountability from both football authorities and government officials regarding the safety and fair treatment of international players and citizens residing abroad.
