AFCON: Invite Libyan Ambassador for questioning, Reps tell FG

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to invite the Libyan Ambassador to Nigeria for questioning over the ill-treatment meted out to the senior national football team, the Super Eagles, during the botched African Cup of Nations qualifiers on Monday.

The resolution of the House was a sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing the Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency, Zamfara State, Mr Kabiru Amadu.

Amadu, who chairs the House Committee on Sports, told his colleagues that the senior national team was expected to play a return match fixture of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya on Tuesday after they were defeated 1-0 by the Super Eagles in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

According to him, the Super Eagles of Nigeria flew to Libya on Sunday to play the return match of the qualifiers at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi, Libya.

He said, “The House is concerned 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 upon arrival at 14:00 on Sunday, October 13, 2024, until the team and the contingent departed from the airport after 18 hours.

“The House is concerned 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.

“Despite diverting the flight to a small airport with little or no amenities, the Libyan authorities did not allow the team to leave the airport or move to their hotel; they had no access to the internet and no food, as the airport was cordoned off and the contingent held hostage for 18 hours.”

Contributing to the motion, the member representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, Abia State, Mr Chris Nkwonta, condemned the treatment of the Nigerian team, saying, “This is unacceptable for our national team. We must condemn this, and it must not happen again.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to invite the Libyan Ambassador to Nigeria for questioning.

It also mandated its Committee on Foreign Affairs and Sports to investigate the incident.

Furthermore, it called on the NFF to make an official complaint to the Confederation of African Football and the Federation of International Football Associations regarding the dehumanising treatment.