The House of Representatives has initiated an investigation into the mistreatment of Nigeria’s national football team by Libyan authorities during the recently boycotted AFCON qualifier match.
Following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Kabiru Ahmadu during Tuesday’s plenary session, the House directed its committees on Sports and Foreign Affairs to delve into the incident and provide a report within four weeks.
The Super Eagles and officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) faced significant challenges upon arriving in Libya for the qualifier, as they were detained at the airport for over 14 hours after their flight was diverted mid-air to a remote location.
Frustrated by their treatment, the players ultimately refused to participate in the match and returned to Nigeria. In response, the NFF filed a formal complaint to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
In his motion, Ahmadu expressed concern over the harsh treatment meted out to the Nigerian delegation, emphasizing that such actions by the North African nation should not be overlooked.
Consequently, the House has mandated the committees to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding this ordeal to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.