Following the outcry over the reported arrest of Nigerians in Libya by the authorities after the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the botched 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the Federal Government may likely petition the African Union (AU) over further breach of international laws by the local authorities in the North African country.
Recall that information obtained from sources and blogs in Libya showed Nigerians resident in the North African country were being targeted for intimidations and arrest after CAF awarded the botched match to the Super Eagles with three points and three goals, as well as a whopping $50,000 fine on Libya.
Reports from Libya indicated an uptick in arrests and fines targeting Nigerians after the ruling by the continental body.
In reaction to the CAF decision, social media posts by popular Libyan blogs have called for Nigerian workers in the country to bear the financial penalty through arrests and fines.
“All Libyan TV channels are urging the government to arrest the Nigerian workers who are working here in Libya without legal papers. They have to pay $500 plus taxes,” one blog post stated.
Reports from Nigerians in Libya indicated that these arrests began shortly after CAF’s verdict was publicised.
“They have already started,” said Emmanuel, a Nigerian resident in Tripoli. “In some places, people were arrested on Sunday morning and afternoon.”
Peter Omoregbie, head of the Nigerian community in Libya, confirmed the arrests, stating, “They are arresting innocent people. They don’t even care whether you have passports or residence permits.”
DAILY INDEPENDENT reports that a dependable source from the nation’s sports hierarchy in Abuja said the report had been documented and that formal complaint had been launched with the relevant authorities.
The source, a top shot of one of the sports federations who had served and still is serving in the top hierarchy of the sports sector, while preferring anonymity, said there is the possibility that a petition would be sent to both CAF and AU.
“It was a disturbing situation we all read but I can tell you that something will be done about that,” he said.
“Relevant authorities in the country have been informed and there is investigation already on this. Once the situation is confirmed, a petition will be sent to CAF and African Union because Libya is also breaching further internationally laws through their intimidation and arrest of l innocent Nigerians.
“Sadly, it’s possible that some of those they are arresting do not even know or follow football and even if they do, what is their business with the decision of CAF,” he said.
Meanwhile, a former Nigerian ambassador has urged the Federal Government to document the incidents and consider a formal complaint to the African Union, saying, “If Nigerians collate evidence of the maltreatment, the Federal Government can protest directly to the Libyan Government.”
