Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has strongly refuted claims that the country issued an apology to Libya regarding the recent detention of the Super Eagles in Benghazi. This came after a false report was published by The Libya Observer, alleging that Nigeria had apologized for the incident.
The article in question had caused confusion, particularly among football administrators and fans across Africa. In response, a statement was issued by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Communication Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, clarifying that the Nigerian government never apologized to Libya. Rather, the government expressed its dissatisfaction with the detention of the national football team and took swift diplomatic steps to resolve the matter.
The report from The Libya Observer apparently twisted the facts surrounding a phone conversation between Minister Tuggar and Libya’s Eastern-based Foreign Minister, Abdelhadi Lahweej. According to the Nigerian minister, instead of showing remorse, Nigeria demanded that the situation be immediately addressed. This request followed the harsh treatment endured by the Super Eagles, who were detained at the airport in Benghazi for over 20 hours without basic necessities like food and water.
Tuggar emphasized that the Nigerian government acted quickly to secure the release of the team. The government of National Unity in Libya had initially been contacted, but not much progress was made during meetings with their Acting Charge of Affairs, Imad Mohammed Matooq Aboud. Libya’s representatives from Tripoli claimed that the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Government, which had control over Benghazi. This bureaucratic delay forced the Nigerian minister to personally contact Abdelhadi Lahweej, the Foreign Minister of Libya’s Eastern Government, to ensure the Super Eagles’ detention was brought to an end.
Negotiations with the Eastern-based authorities in Benghazi proved more fruitful, as necessary permissions were eventually granted for the team to leave Libya. Minister Tuggar stressed that no apology was issued during this process; instead, the focus was on resolving the situation. Once the permits were approved and aviation fuel was secured, the Nigerian team was finally able to leave Libya. Both ministers agreed that it was in their best interest to de-escalate the situation and ensure that the issue did not escalate further.
Despite the diplomatic progress, tensions remained when Lahweej, during discussions, attempted to revive old and false claims about the mistreatment of Libyan players during a previous visit to Nigeria. However, Minister Tuggar firmly corrected the record, refuting the baseless accusations of misconduct. According to the minister, these claims were unfounded and had been exaggerated to cast Nigeria in a negative light. Even with the corrections, the Nigerian government maintained its position and refused to apologize for incidents that had been distorted or misrepresented.
In addition, Lahweej had suggested that both countries issue a joint statement to address the detention and the earlier claims of mistreatment. However, Nigeria rejected this proposal, citing that a joint statement would misrepresent the facts and create a false narrative about the incident. Minister Tuggar reiterated that the Nigerian government was committed to correcting any misinformation and that an apology was never part of the discussions.
The incident itself occurred when the Nigerian national football team flew into Libya on a Sunday afternoon to play the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights. Upon arrival in Benghazi, the Super Eagles were subjected to severe and inhumane treatment at the airport. The team was held for over 20 hours without access to food, water, or even communication with the outside world. This prolonged detention not only affected the players’ morale but also created an international stir.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has since stated that they are investigating the incident and will look into the circumstances surrounding the treatment of the Nigerian team. CAF’s involvement is expected to bring more clarity to what transpired and to hold any parties accountable for breaching international protocols regarding the treatment of visiting teams.
Ultimately, Minister Tuggar’s response serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting national interests and ensuring that Nigerian citizens, whether they are athletes or regular citizens, are treated fairly and justly in foreign countries. The swift action taken by the Nigerian government highlights its commitment to standing up for its people, even in the face of international miscommunication and misinformation.
The detention of the Super Eagles in Libya has opened up broader conversations about diplomatic relations between the two countries. While Nigeria has made it clear that no apology was issued, the incident will likely lead to further discussions between both nations on how to prevent such occurrences in the future. As investigations continue, the hope is that this issue will serve as a lesson in diplomacy, fair treatment, and international sportsmanship.