Nigerians in Libya cry for help as Police embark on arbitrary detention following CAF ruling

The Libyan Police have reportedly started imposing fines and engaging in mass arrests of Nigerians in the country.

According to reports, the mass arrests are a reaction to CAF fining the Libyan Football Federation $50,000 and awarding three points to the Super Eagles of Nigeria after they were subjected to inhumane treatment during their away trip to Libya for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

An unidentified Nigerian community leader in Libya, in a video sighted by GhanaWeb Sports, shared that the arrests were intended to raise funds from Nigerians to pay the $50,000 fine.

"The Libyan police are arresting innocent people. They don't care if you have documents or not. They don't care. If you go to social media, Libyan journalists and bloggers are saying Nigeria is going to pay the $50,000 by arresting Nigerians in Libya.

"It doesn't happen like that in other countries. As the community leader, I have received videos of Nigerians being arrested. If you have a passport or documents, they don't care. Some of us are afraid. As the community leader, we can't do anything because even the embassy's hands are tied," he added.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board, in a statement released on October 26, 2024, found Libya guilty of breaching Article 31 of the CAF regulations and disciplinary code, resulting in a forfeiture of the match.

As a result, Nigeria was awarded three points and three goals, while Libya was fined $50,000. The Libyan Football Federation was given 60 days to pay or face further sanctions.

“The Libya Football Federation was found to have breached Article 31 of the Total Energies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. The match No.87 Libya v. Nigeria of the TotalEnergies CAF African Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October 2024 in Benghazi) is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0).

“The Libya Football Federation is ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000. The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the present decision,” portions of the statement read.

Background

The Super Eagles of Nigeria were stranded at Al-Abaq Airport ahead of their return match against Libya in the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Reports indicated that the team’s chartered flight, originally headed for Benghazi, was rerouted mid-air.

The Super Eagles departed for Libya in the early hours of Sunday, October 13, 2024.

Following the incident, the Nigerian Football Federation announced that the team would not honour the match.

The Libyan Football Federation, on the other hand, denied claims of maltreatment of the players, stating that the incident was due to security concerns.

EE/MA

Nigerians In Libya Cries Out For Help As The Libyan Government Begins Mass Arrest And Persecution Of Nigerians In The Country.

This Crack Down On Nigerians In Libya Is Coming After Nigeria Were Awarded 3 Points Against The Libya Football Federation And Also Fined $50,000 For… pic.twitter.com/jMKA3UFVcf

— Somto Okonkwo (@General_Somto) November 3, 2024