Following a contentious ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Libya has erupted in a wave of backlash, leading to the reported mass arrest of Nigerians across the country.
This escalation has transformed a football dispute into a flashpoint of diplomatic tension, as Libyan authorities detain Nigerian workers in apparent retaliation for a fine imposed by the CAF.
In the wake of the CAF ruling, Libyan social media and news outlets launched campaigns targeting Nigerian residents, framing them as contributors to Libya’s woes.
Posts from platforms such as Libya News Today 1 demanded that Nigerian workers without legal papers be detained and fined $500 each to help cover the CAF penalty. Media personalities and local leaders echoed these sentiments, urging Libyan authorities to take swift action.
The controversy began with a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match scheduled between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Libya’s national team. The Nigerian team faced unexpected delays upon landing in Libya, where they were diverted from Benghazi Airport to Al-Abraq Airport, about 150 miles away from their original destination.
This disruption led to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) filing a formal complaint with CAF, which responded by awarding Nigeria three points and three goals, penalizing Libya with a $50,000 fine.
CAF’s disciplinary committee found Libya in breach of regulations, accusing the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) of misconduct.
The decision, signed by CAF’s Disciplinary Committee Chairman Ousmane Kane, further incited tensions.
LFF President Nasser Al-Suwai’I condemned the ruling as “unjust and malicious,” claiming NFF influence played a role in the outcome.
In response to this, Libyan media channels quickly called for Nigerians in Libya to shoulder the financial burden.
As of Sunday, reports emerged of mass arrests across Libya. Witnesses described police raids in areas such as Tripoli and Tedora, where Nigerian residents were detained regardless of their legal status.
Peter Omoregbie, President of the Nigerian community in Libya, expressed alarm over the indiscriminate arrests, reporting that even Nigerians with valid passports or residency permits were not exempt.
The sudden arrests have put the Nigerian community in Libya into a state of fear and uncertainty.
Adenaike Emmanuel, a Nigerian in Tripoli, described the atmosphere as tense, saying, “They have already started proving their point. This is their way of retaliating.” Others have shared videos and personal testimonies on social media, depicting Nigerian citizens facing harsh treatment with little recourse for protection.
Despite warnings from Libya’s National Institution for Human Rights against retaliatory acts, Libyan authorities continue to detain Nigerian workers.
The chairman of the institution, Ahmed Hamza, cautioned against escalating hostility, emphasizing that unjust treatment of foreign nationals could attract international scrutiny. However, this plea appears to have had little immediate effect on the ground.
The Nigerian community, feeling vulnerable and isolated, has called for intervention from the Nigerian government and international human rights organizations.
Community leader Peter Omoregbie has urgently requested that global bodies intervene to halt the targeting of Nigerians in Libya, as local authorities appear determined to press ahead with their crackdown.
Libyan-based Nigerian blogger Omo Oba Legba conveyed a similar sentiment in a video, warning compatriots not to venture outdoors as arrests spread. “The Nigerian team faced a day of inconvenience,” he said, “but we’re left with the consequences. If Nigeria was a better place, none of us would be here facing this.”
Efforts to reach out to both the Nigerian and Libyan embassies have been met with silence.
A representative from the Libyan embassy in Abuja refused to comment, directing inquiries to the ambassador’s office. The Nigerian Embassy in Tripoli has also yet to respond, leaving Nigerians in Libya feeling abandoned by their government
