The Nigerian government has denied issuing an apology to Libya following the detention of the Super Eagles football team in the North African country. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, made this clear in a statement released on Wednesday, refuting claims made by a Libyan media outlet, The Libya Observer.
According to the report by The Libya Observer, Nigeria had supposedly apologised for the unfortunate incident involving the Super Eagles. However, Tuggar, through his Special Assistant on Media and Communication Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, described the report as false and misleading.
The minister firmly stated that Nigeria did not apologise but instead expressed displeasure over the treatment of the Super Eagles and called for a swift resolution to the matter.
The Incident in Libya
The incident occurred when the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, arrived in Libya for the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights. Upon arrival, the team and officials were detained at the airport for over 20 hours. They were reportedly denied access to food, water, and communication, leaving both the team and Nigerian football officials stranded.
The treatment of the Super Eagles sparked outrage back home, with fans and football administrators criticizing the Libyan authorities for their actions. Many questioned the conditions under which the team was held and called for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Libya’s Misinformation
In response to the growing criticism, The Libya Observer published a report claiming that Nigeria had issued an apology for the incident. The Libyan media outlet misrepresented a phone conversation between Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar and Libya’s Eastern-based Foreign Minister Abdelhadi Lahweej.
In reality, as Tuggar’s office clarified, the Nigerian government had summoned Libya’s Charge d’Affaires, Imad Mohammed Matooq Aboud, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja. During the meeting, Nigeria demanded an immediate resolution to the incident and expressed its displeasure over the treatment of the national team.
However, the diplomatic meeting did not result in significant progress, as Aboud insisted that the issue was under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Government in Benghazi, not the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity.
This prompted Tuggar to personally reach out to Abdelhadi Lahweej, Libya’s Eastern-based Foreign Minister, to intervene and resolve the situation. As a result of this intervention, the necessary permits were granted for the Super Eagles’ aircraft to fly, and the team was able to access aviation fuel to continue their journey.
No Apology from Nigeria
Tuggar made it clear that at no point during the discussions did Nigeria issue an apology. Instead, the minister corrected the misinformation about the treatment of Libyan players during a previous encounter in Nigeria, which Lahweej had brought up during their conversation.
According to Tuggar’s office, Lahweej had proposed a joint statement to de-escalate the situation. However, the Nigerian government rejected this proposal, as the statement would have inaccurately represented the facts of the incident. Tuggar maintained that Nigeria stands by its position and did not apologize to Libya for the detention of the Super Eagles.
“The federal government of Nigeria only maintains diplomatic relations with the Government of National Accord in Tripoli, not with the Eastern-based administration in Benghazi,” the statement emphasized.
NFF’s Call for Sanctions
The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed disappointment with how officials from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) were treated during the ordeal. The government also called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to ensure that the matter is thoroughly investigated and that appropriate sanctions are imposed on Libya.
The NFF has also voiced its displeasure over the incident, with many officials pointing out that the team had traveled to Libya in good faith, expecting fair treatment. The NFF, alongside Nigerian fans, urged CAF to act swiftly to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
The Super Eagles’ Experience
The Super Eagles arrived in Libya on Sunday, October 13, 2024, ahead of their crucial AFCON qualifier. However, their arrival turned into a nightmare as they were detained at the airport for over 20 hours. According to reports, the team was denied access to basic necessities like food and water, and they were unable to communicate with the outside world during the ordeal.
This inhumane treatment led to widespread condemnation from Nigerians, with many questioning how a team representing their country could be subjected to such conditions. Fans took to social media to express their anger, while football administrators called for immediate action.
CAF Investigates the Matter
Following the incident, CAF announced that it was investigating the matter. The African football governing body stated that it would review the circumstances surrounding the detention of the Super Eagles and take appropriate action. CAF’s Disciplinary Board is expected to handle the case and determine whether any sanctions should be imposed on Libya.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety and treatment of African football teams when they travel for international matches. Many are calling for CAF to put in place stronger regulations to protect teams and ensure that they are treated with respect and dignity when competing in foreign countries.
