Senator John Owan Enoh, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, has expressed strong condemnation of the recent actions taken by Libyan authorities, who held the Nigerian Super Eagles and their officials hostage at Al Abaq Airport.
The incident arose when a Nigerian aircraft, originally bound for Benghazi, was diverted to a city over two hours away from its intended destination, just an hour before landing. This unexpected diversion caused significant distress for the Super Eagles team, officials, and support staff, leaving them stranded and facing unnecessary delays. The Minister voiced deep concern over the treatment of the team, particularly given that they were in Libya for an international engagement. “Such actions by the Libyan authorities are deeply troubling and entirely unacceptable. Holding our national team and officials hostage under any circumstances violates international sporting protocols and the principles of respect and hospitality that should be extended to all visiting teams. The Nigerian government will not tolerate any form of disrespect or mistreatment towards our players and officials,” Senator Enoh stated.
He underscored that the safety and welfare of the Super Eagles and their officials are the government’s top priority. The Minister assured Nigerians that the Ministry of Sports Development is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the immediate and safe release of the team and facilitate their journey to the destination.
“We are in constant communication with the appropriate authorities and are making every effort to resolve this situation swiftly. I urge everyone to remain calm as we engage diplomatically to address this matter,” Senator Enoh added.
Additionally, the Minister called on Libyan authorities to respect international sporting relations and the fundamental rights of athletes and officials traveling for official purposes. He emphasized that sports diplomacy is crucial for fostering global unity, and such incidents should not be allowed to happen again.
Nigeria remains dedicated 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.
Senator Enoh expressed gratitude to the Nigerian public for their patience and support during this challenging time, reassuring everyone that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safe arrival of the Super Eagles at their destination.
