The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, has condemned the recent actions of Libyan authorities, who held Nigeria’s Super Eagles and their officials hostage at Al Abaq Airport.
The incident occurred after the Nigerian aircraft, originally boarding to Benghazi – the venue for the return fixture, was diverted to another city (a three-hour drive from the intended destination), just an hour before landing.
This diversion caused significant distress to the Super Eagles team, officials, and support staff, who were left stranded and subjected to unnecessary delays.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Diana-Mary Nsan, on Monday morning, Enoh expressed deep concern over the poor treatment of Austin Eguavoen’s men, particularly as they were in Libya for an international engagement.
“Such actions by the Libyan authorities are deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable. Holding our national team and officials hostage under any circumstances violates not only international sporting protocols but also the principles of respect and hospitality that should be extended to all visiting teams,” Enoh stated.
“The Nigerian government will not tolerate any form of disrespect or mistreatment toward our players and officials.
“We are in close contact with the appropriate authorities, and we are sparing no effort in ensuring that this situation is resolved swiftly. I urge everyone to remain calm while we engage diplomatically to address this matter,” he added.
9 Comments
Hurry up Honourable because no time to check time as the lives of those boys is in danger
“In a statement released by his spokesperson, Diana-Mary Nsan”
Is this the time to start speaking through a spokesperson? Your tongue was finally loosed after 24 hours? Gusau is still on mute. Ambassador is fem. Actionless people. That’s why there’s so much disrespect everywhere.
Ekong and his team will boycott this game, and the compromised CAF will award Libya 3 points (which was the game plan all along when they diverted to PHC and blamed NFF for it). What will happen after that? You and Gusau will “condemn” this action as usual, and life goes on.
NOTHING WILL HAPPEN! Libyan wins sports politics. Useless leaders who have no balls.
NFF and the inert Nigerian government are to blame. They tacitly support these atrocious treatments being meted out to the S E. How many times have corrupt referees arbitrarily cancelled legitimate goals scored by these enterprising boys? Will Nigerian officials say a word about Lookman’s goal that was cancelled? Why won’t these retched countries be emboldened to devise even more inhuman acts against us?
In civilised climes, their sports ministers should be in Tripoli right now.
And how is that the governments fault. Did they expect something like this to transpire. Now that it has taken place, why not wait for them to take the necessary steps to condemn the action.
“Did they expect something?”
Proactive leaders anticipate everything and always have a plan A, B, and C.
“…condemn the action”
Loool. What else are Nigerian government officials good for other than “condemn the action”? Condemn the action and end of story. Lesotho will repeat tomorrow.
Moroninc leaders and toothless bulldogs in power.
Who is this half-brained lowlife? What is the de facto role of government? Is it not to protect lives of the citizenry? Go back to primary school or even lower. You are being bold to question my write-up? Don’t try it again. If the government is not responsible for the security and welfare of citizens on a mission on behalf of Nigerians, who else? Over sabi! Go learn international diplomacy and don’t display your ignorance too proudly here.
MUMU keep quiet, are you their to know whats going on underground, you come here and be saying crap. What do you want the embassy to do in another country?
Moron and half-brained nitwit, I know you’re used to snail-speed reactions and the red=tapeism of the Nigerian system. Lover of the status quo, probably cos you’re one of them or a direct beneficiary.
Not all of us like that. Within that 24 hours, anything could have happened. Your typical “oga” sports minister could speak directly and still had time to tell an assistant to type a response. Typical Nigerian “oga” style, even when the players’ lives are at stake.
You only want to watch football. Do you care about their lives? After all, it is not your kids, or Enoh’s kids, or Gusau’s kids that are currently in trauma in Libya.
And I’ll be back here to give you wotowoto if you reply. TAKE NOTE. You federal mugu.
Caf has confirmed the situation but I don’t know if NFF has lodged an official complaint to Caf. If that is done then we have no issues instead of begging the Libyans for anything it’s better to leave and discourage others who will be watching what’s unfolding.