The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured that Nigerians in Libya are safe in response to safety concerns raised online.
This comes in response to multiple reports online that suggest Nigerians in Libya are being mass areested as a response to CAF’s verdict on botched Libya v Nigeria AFCON qualifier match.
Recall that CAF disciplinary committee unpon investigation awarded the Super Eagles of Nigeria 3 goals and 3 points.
The committee also fined Libya $50,000.
The Super Eagles were held at the Al Abraq airport by the Libyan authorities for approximately 20 hours without food, drinks and Internet connection.
Consequently, the locals are now reportedly using xenophobic slurs on Nigerians as they urge the government to deport undocumented workers among them.
“The fine that Libya is demanded to pay will be paid by Nigerian citizens who live in Libya. We have been subjected to injustice,” one of the messages reads.”
“We have no borders with Nigeria. What benefit are they to us? They’re a burden on the Libyan people. They have to go back home.”
However, in response to safety concerns by Nigerians online, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement has assured that Nigerians are safe in Libya.
“As of the time of making this statement, Nigerians in Libya are going about their daily activities, devoid of any form of harassment by Libyan authorities, following the verdict of the Confederation of African Football, which indicted the Libyan Football Association for their ill-treatment of the Nigerian team and officials while in Libya for a Nations Cup qualifying match,”
In addition, the Ministry assured that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that Nigerians abroad are safe as they go about their businesses.
“The well-being of Nigerian citizens anywhere in the world is a top priority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and [we] will continue to strive to safeguard it at all times.”
