In a troubling development following a recent football controversy, Libyan authorities have launched a series of mass arrests targeting the Nigerian community, raising alarm and calls for international intervention. This crackdown follows a ruling from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which penalized Libya for its treatment of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles.
On October 26, CAF awarded Nigeria three points and three goals in light of the incident that occurred during the Super Eagles’ recent visit for an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The ruling also imposed a $50,000 fine on Libya after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) lodged a complaint regarding the Super Eagles’ detention for over 20 hours at Al-Abraq Airport. This situation has escalated into a diplomatic dispute between Nigeria and Libya.
The public response in Libya has been intense, with local media and bloggers advocating punitive measures against Nigerians living in the country. Notably, Libyan TV channels and the influential *Libya News Today 1* blog have called for the detention of undocumented Nigerian workers and even proposed a $500 “tax” on them to cover the CAF fine. “All Libyan TV channels are urging the government to arrest the Nigerian workers… They have to go back home,” the blog, which has over 188,000 followers, stated.
As public sentiment turned against Nigerians, calls for “revenge” arrests grew louder, leading to reports that the crackdown began shortly after the CAF ruling was announced. Adenaike Emmanuel, a Nigerian resident in Tripoli, confirmed seeing arrests in various neighborhoods shortly after the news broke. “Libyans don’t hide their feelings… they are getting their revenge,” Emmanuel remarked to *Sunday Punch*.
Peter Omoregbie, President of the Nigerian Community in Libya, characterized the arrests as indiscriminate, stating that Libyan authorities were detaining individuals without regard for their legal status. “They don’t even care whether you have passports or residence permits. They just don’t care,” he said in a widely circulated video on Libyan social media.
Omoregbie elaborated on the events leading to the crackdown, stressing that the CAF decision was a non-governmental matter stemming from the incident in which the Nigerian team was rerouted, preventing their match from occurring. He expressed frustration over the fallout, noting, “Now, 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.”
The escalating situation has created a climate of fear within the Nigerian community in Libya. A video shared by the Libyan news outlet *INF.TV* featured a Nigerian man pleading with authorities to spare the local population from repercussions. “Football has nothing to do with us… Please, Libyan police, please,” he implored, highlighting the disconnect between sports and the actions taken against civilians.
Community leaders are increasingly concerned for the safety of Nigerians in Libya. Despite the alarming developments, the Nigerian Embassy has not yet issued a formal response, leaving many residents feeling exposed and unsupported in a hostile environment.
Calls for international intervention have emerged from Nigerian community leaders, who fear that arbitrary arrests could lead to further violence and destabilization. There is a growing consensus that urgent action is necessary to protect the rights and safety of Nigerians living in Libya.
Reports of heightened hostility towards Nigerians have surfaced, alarming human rights advocates and raising concerns about the potential for greater conflict. Many community members worry that the situation could escalate, leading to more severe reprisals against Nigerians and worsening relations between the two nations.
