Reports have surfaced of mass arrests and fines levied against Nigerian nationals in Libya following a decision made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
This comes after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) lodged a complaint regarding the detention of the Super Eagles at Al-Abraq Airport in Libya. The Nigerian team was held for over 20 hours prior to their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights.
In response, CAF’s disciplinary committee ruled on 26 October, awarding the Super Eagles a 3-0 victory and a $50,000 fine to the Libyan Football Federation (LFF), payable within 60 days. LFF President Nasser Al-Suwai’i expressed his discontent with the ruling, labelling it “unjust and malicious” and alleging that the NFF’s influence within CAF had swayed the decision.
Peter Omoregbie, President of the Nigerian community in Libya, has spoken out about the mass arrests, stating, “The arrests started on Sunday night in some areas in Tedora. They are arresting innocent people. They don’t even care whether you have passports or residence permits. They just don’t care, which doesn’t happen in other countries.”
Omoregbie further highlighted the widespread anxiety among Nigerian residents in Libya, citing social media commentary from Libyan journalists and bloggers suggesting that Nigeria would be forced to pay the fine through these arrests. “On social media, Libyan journalists and numerous bloggers are saying that Nigeria will be made to pay the $50,000 fine by arresting all Nigerians in Libya. But in other countries, nothing like that happens,” he said.
With videos circulating that purportedly show Nigerian nationals being detained in Tedora, irrespective of their legal status, Omoregbie added, “Some of us are already afraid, calling everywhere to ask what to do. Sometimes, as community leaders, we are helpless. Even the Nigerian Embassy’s hands are sometimes tied. But international bodies need to intervene in this situation.”
The Nigerian community in Libya is now urging international organisations to address the escalating situation, as fear and uncertainty grip the Nigerian population in the region.
