October 14, (THEWILL) – Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, has strongly condemned the treatment of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, at Al Abaq Airport in Libya. The team was held for over 12 hours without proper facilities or assistance after their chartered flight was unexpectedly diverted from Benghazi.
Enoh called the incident “deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable”, emphasising that it violates international sporting protocols and principles of hospitality. The Nigerian government is working through diplomatic channels to resolve the situation and ensure the team’s safety.
Team captain, William Troost-Ekong, shared details of the ordeal on social media, describing an “abandoned airport” where the team was left without food, drink, or communication. The incident has sparked outrage among Nigerian fans and officials, with some calling for the team’s immediate return home.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported ongoing contact with the Nigerian Mission in Libya. Minister Yusuf Tuggar stated that supplies and internet access were provided to the team early Monday morning, but Libyan authorities had not yet authorised travel to Bayda City where the airport is located.
There are reports and pictures of a bus being prepared to take the team from the airport and some personnel from the Libyan Federation but the story is still developing and fluid at the moment.
More details to follow…
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
