Following the recent CAF ruling on Libya’s treatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Nigerians in Libya report retaliatory mass arrests and fines amid calls for international intervention.

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled against Libya for its treatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, reports indicate a sharp escalation in anti-Nigerian actions within Libya.

Nigerian nationals in the country have reported widespread arrests and punitive fines, allegedly in response to the CAF decision that awarded Nigeria three points and fined the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) $50,000.

Also read: CAF delays verdict on Libya-Nigeria AFCON qualifier

The Super Eagles’ ordeal began when their flight was diverted to Al-Abraq Airport in eastern Libya instead of Benghazi, leading to a 20-hour delay and the eventual withdrawal from the scheduled 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

In response, CAF issued its disciplinary ruling, condemning Libya’s conduct as a violation of multiple CAF codes.

Following the CAF decision, anti-Nigerian sentiments intensified on Libyan social media platforms, with Libyan commentators calling for mass arrests and financial penalties on Nigerian workers.

According to several Nigerian residents, including community leader Peter Omoregbie, authorities in certain areas have already begun detaining Nigerians indiscriminately, regardless of their legal status.

Nigerian community leaders, including Omoregbie and Adenaike Emmanuel, expressed their concerns in video statements circulated widely within Libya and Nigeria, highlighting fears for their safety and calling for assistance.

In one video, a Nigerian resident reported that arrests targeted Nigerians specifically, even those with valid passports or residence permits.

As news of the arrests spreads, rights advocates, including Ahmed Hamza, Chairman of Libya’s National Institution for Human Rights, have issued warnings to Libyan authorities, urging restraint and cautioning against arbitrary targeting of Nigerian nationals.

Hamza emphasized that retaliatory measures against Nigerians could lead to serious domestic and international legal consequences.

In response to the ongoing tensions, a former Nigerian ambassador, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, advised the Nigerian government to investigate the reports and consider filing an official complaint with the African Union, suggesting that Nigerians in Libya adopt low profiles until the situation stabilizes.

As of now, neither the Libyan nor Nigerian embassies have responded to direct requests for comments, and the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to make an official statement regarding the safety of Nigerian citizens in Libya.

This situation underscores the rising need for diplomatic intervention to safeguard Nigerian citizens living and working in Libya amid this tense aftermath of the CAF ruling.