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The House of Representatives has summoned the Libyan Ambassador to Nigeria over the alleged inhumane treatment meted out to Super Eagles players and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) contingent during their visit to Libya for the return match of the Afcon qualifiers at the Martyrs of February Stadium, Benghazi.
Adopting a motion sponsored by Mr. Kabiru Ahmadu under matters of urgent national importance at the plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abass, the House condemned the inhumane treatment of the team in its entirety.
Sympathizing with the Super Eagles players, the lawmakers urged the NFF to file an official complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) over the alleged mistreatment of the Super Eagles players.
The House also mandated its Committees on Sports and Foreign Affairs to investigate the issue and report back accordingly.
READ ALSO: Libya’s highest authority ordered Super Eagles flight diversion – Pilot
Ahmadu recalled that among the Super Eagles contingent were members of the House of Representatives, led by the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, as well as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, NFF Board members, and the entire NFF crew.
He noted that during the 18-hour ordeal faced by the Super Eagles at Al-Abraq International Airport in Libya, the contingent was left stranded upon their arrival at 14:00 hours on Sunday, October 13, 2024, until they were finally allowed to depart from the airport back to Nigeria.
He explained that the team and delegation were en route to Benghazi, Libya, when their aircraft was unexpectedly diverted mid-flight to Al-Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for Hajj operations.
He lamented that, despite diverting the flight to a small airport with minimal amenities, the Libyan authorities did not allow the team to leave the airport or move to their hotel. The team had no access to the Internet or food, the airport was cordoned off, and they were held hostage for 18 hours.
