The House of Representatives on Tuesday condemned the alleged inhumane treatment of the Super Eagles in Libya.
Libyan officials subjected the Nigerian contingent to a hostage situation as they were locked up at the Al Abraq International Airport in Libya for over 12 hours after they arrived on Sunday and were unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, which is three hours away.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said in a statement on Monday that the plane conveying the team was diverted, leaving the players and officials stranded without any assistance from its Libyan counterpart which failed to provide transportation.
Super Eagles players and officials returned to the country on Monday night after they opted to boycott the match slated for Tuesday.
The House’s position followed the adoption of a motion by a lawmaker from Zamfara, Kabiru Amodu, at the plenary in Abuja.
In his motion, Amodu said the Super Eagles were expected to play a return match fixture of the Africa Cup of Nation qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in Benghazi.
He noted that the Nigerian contingent comprised members of the House of Representatives led by the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Sports, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shaibu, Board members, and the entire crew of NFF.
The lawmaker said: “Concerned about the frustrating 18-hour ordeal faced by the Super Eagles of Nigeria at Al-Abraq International Airport in Libya, where they were left stranded on arrival at 14:00hr on Sunday, October 13, 2024, till the team and the contingent departed from the airport after 18 hours.
“The team and the delegation were en route to Benghazi in Libya before their aircraft was unexpectedly diverted mid-flight to Al-Abraq, a small Airport typically reserved for hajj operations.
“Despite diverting the flight to a small airport with little or no amenities, the Libyan authorities did not allow the team to get out of the airport or move to their hotel, no access to the internet, no food, the airport was cordoned and they were held hostage for 18 hours.
“The fatigued and frustrated players resolved not to play the match any longer due to the hostilities by the Libyan Football Federation/Libyan Government.”
The House condemned in totality the inhumane treatment, and frustration of the Super Eagles and the delegation by the Libyan authorities.
In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas sympathised with the Super Eagles and commended the players for their patriotism.
He mandated the Committees on Sports and Foreign Affairs to investigate the incident.