By Kayode John
The Minister of Sports Development John Enoh has said the Federal Government is still seeking answers from Libyan authorities over why the Nigerian team was put through a traumatic experience in their country after arriving there for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying game last Sunday.
After winning the first leg 1-0 in Uyo last Friday, the ValueJet airline conveying the Nigerian team which comprised Super Eagles players, coaches and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), for the return leg, was diverted from Benghazi, venue of the game, to Al Abraq airport.
They were held there for more than 18 hours without food, water and internet. The Libyans later bowed to pressure and allowed the Nigerian team return home after deciding to boycott the game, following the harrowing experience.
The incident elicited global condemnation despite the Mediterranean Knights’ claim that they encountered a similar challenge in Nigeria before the first leg on October 11.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Enoh said the government is taking the matter seriously.
“The Nigerian government has demonstrated interest in this situation, the Nigerian government acted switfly which was why I was at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport awaiting the arrival of the Nigerian team and to the glory of God, they arrived and were received,” he said.
“So the Nigerian government was excellent in this. The other matters going on now, something is going on between the Mnistry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant Nigerian authorities with the Libyan authorities and all of that.
“I’m aware that the minister of foreign affairs had summoned the ambassador. The Nigerian government so far has not taken this lightly and it is not going to treat this lightly. We must get to the bottom of this.”
However, the federal government may encounter a roadblock in getting the attention of the key actors involved in the unpleasant treatment of the Nigerian team.
Unlike with the Government of National Unity in Libya, Nigeria does not have diplomatic relationship with the factional government superintending over the Al Abraq municipal region where the incident played out.
The disciplinary committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is investigating the fiasco and the continental football body has vowed to take appropriate action against any party found to have violated its statutes.
