The Nigerian Senate has called on the Libyan government to issue a formal apology for the mistreatment of the Super Eagles football team upon their arrival in Libya for a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
The Senate condemned the actions of Libyan officials, labeling the treatment as “inhumane” and a violation of international norms.
The issue was raised by Senator Sumaila Kawu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, who highlighted the poor treatment the Super Eagles faced.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, criticized Libya’s conduct, emphasizing that sports should foster unity and friendship among nations.
He urged Libyan authorities to apologize, stressing that Nigeria values diplomacy and international relations.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also issued a statement, describing the incident as a breach of sportsmanship and fair play.
He called for an investigation by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and urged the international community to condemn the treatment of the Nigerian team.
The statement read, “As the President of the Senate, I stand in solidarity with the Super Eagles, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the entire Nigerian football community in condemning this unjust treatment. The Nigerian Senate will continue to monitor this situation closely and ensure that the rights and dignity of our citizens are protected. We will not tolerate any form of mistreatment or disrespect towards our nationals, regardless of the circumstances.
“We demand a thorough investigation from the Disciplinary Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and appropriate sanctions to be meted out against those involved.
“It is also imperative that the Libyan authorities take immediate action to investigate this incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable to prevent future occurrences.
“We call on the international football community to condemn this unacceptable behaviour and support our demand for justice.”