Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM has reacted to ill-treatment meted out on the Super Eagles by Libyan authorities ahead of a football match slated for Tuesday in the country.
The NiDCOM boss condemned the Libyans for such act.
Recall that the team which left Nigeria on Sunday to Libya for their return match, had their flight diverted to an innocuous airport far away from the venue of the match.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that it was not safe to travel by road in Libya due to the current situation in the country.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun on Monday in Abuja.
Dabiri-Erewa said the safety of Nigerian players is paramount to the country, and was optimistic that the Ministry of Sports and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will advise appropriately.
She called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF), to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
Dabiri-Erewa appealed to the Super Eagles to remain calm while the NFF will decide the next line of action.
“The implication of the diversion will now be another three hours of road travel to the main venue of the match, not minding the risk of road travel in Libya, considering the situation of the war-torn country.
“Already, the players, the pilots, and others on board the flight had been stranded and subjected to inhuman treatment at the airport for over 13 hours without water, food, rest, and other means of communication.
“The team was delayed at an airport in Libya for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason. The Super Eagles flight was redirected airborne on Sunday, and they were required to travel by road to their destination,” the statement added.
