Senator John Owan Enoh, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, has strongly condemned the recent actions of Libyan authorities for detaining the Nigerian Super Eagles and their officials at Al Abaq Airport. This incident unfolded after the Nigerian aircraft, which was originally headed for Benghazi, was diverted to a city over two hours away from the intended destination, just an hour before landing.
The diversion caused considerable distress to the Super Eagles team, officials, and support staff, who were left stranded and faced unnecessary delays. Minister Enoh expressed his deep concern regarding the poor treatment of the team, particularly given their presence in Libya for an international engagement.
“Such actions by the Libyan authorities are deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable,” Senator Enoh stated. He emphasized that holding the national team and officials hostage under any circumstances violates international sporting protocols and the principles of respect and hospitality that should be extended to visiting teams. The Nigerian government will not tolerate any disrespect or mistreatment towards its players and officials.
The safety and welfare of the Super Eagles remain the government’s top priority. Minister Enoh assured Nigerians that the Ministry of Sports Development is collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant diplomatic channels, and other stakeholders to ensure the immediate and safe release of the team.
“We are in close contact with the appropriate authorities, and we are sparing no effort to ensure this situation is resolved swiftly,” he added. He urged the public to remain calm while diplomatic efforts are made to address the matter.
Furthermore, Minister Enoh called on the Libyan authorities to respect international sporting relations and the fundamental rights of athletes and officials traveling for official purposes. He underscored that sports diplomacy is essential for fostering global unity and that such incidents should not recur.
Nigeria is committed to strengthening international relations through sports but will not hesitate to defend the rights and dignity of its athletes and officials when they face unfair treatment. The Minister expressed gratitude to the Nigerian public for their patience and support during this challenging time, assuring everyone that every necessary measure is being taken to safely transport the Super Eagles to their destination.