Libya: Dabiri-Erewa Calls On CAF To Address Super Eagles’ Travel Ordeal

Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has condemned the treatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles by Libyan authorities ahead of their Tuesday match in Libya.

Dabiri-Erewa expressed deep concern over the team’s road travel plans within Libya, which she deemed unsafe given the country’s current security challenges.

According to a statement by Director of Media and Protocols at NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the team, which departed Nigeria on Sunday, had their flight rerouted to a distant Libyan airport, hours away from the match location.

This diversion necessitated an additional three-hour road journey, raising safety concerns due to Libya’s instability.

Dabiri-Erewa stressed that the players’ safety remains a priority and urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to handle the situation urgently.

She also expressed confidence that the Ministry of Sports and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) would take the appropriate steps to protect the team.

“The implication of the diversion will now be another three hours of road travel to the main venue of the match, not minding the risk of road travel in Libya , considering the situation of the war-torn country.

“Already, the players, the pilots, and others on board the flight had been stranded and subjected to inhuman treatment at the airport for over 13 hours without water, food, rest, and other means of communication.

“The team was delayed at an airport in Libya for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason.

“The Super Eagles flight was redirected air borne on Sunday, and they were required to travel by road to their destination.

“However, there was no provision made for them by the Libya authorities, and all efforts to make alternative provisions by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was frustrated,” the statement partly said.

Dabiri-Erewa appealed to the Super Eagles to stay calm as the NFF considers the next steps.