Nigerians residing in Libya have reportedly become targets of widespread crackdown and arrests after a controversial verdict passed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in favour of Nigeria. This is coming on the heel of a complaint filed by team Nigeria Football Federation regarding the mistreatment meted on the Super Eagles squad by the Libyan authority during their recent visit to the country for a football match.
It was learned that the Super Eagles of Nigeria faced significant challenges, including a redirected flight, over 18 hours of delays at the airport, and logistical issue during a trip for return leg of the 1-0 match in favour of Nigeria in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Consequently, after Nigeria registered its grievance with CAF, the football body cancelled the match, where it awarded three goals and three points to the Super Eagles while slamming a $50,000 fine on the Libyans.
Provoked by the outcome, Libyan media took to the airwaves to call for the arrest of Nigerians residing in the country without proper documentation, suggesting that fines imposed on the country would in a way be shifted onto the Nigerian populace residing in Libya.
Social media bloggers have raised their voices to this sentiment, with posts alleging that Nigerian workers are a drain on Libyan resources.
Punch quoted a Nigerian living in Tripoli, the Libyan capital, Adenaike Emmanuel, as saying the arrests had began.
“They have already started. The news came out on Saturday, and they were saying they can’t accept it and that they are not the ones who will pay the money. They have started proving this.
Adenaike stated “Someone called me and said they had already begun arresting people in his area. The same thing is happening here in Tripoli. In some places, people were arrested on Sunday morning and afternoon. As I mentioned before, Libyans don’t hide their feelings. They believe that by doing this, they are getting their revenge”.