Nigerians Face Mass Arrests in Libya Following CAF Verdict Amid Growing Anti-Foreigner Sentiment
By Okafor Joseph Afam
November 3, 2024
Following the recent Confederation of African Football (CAF) verdict, reports indicate that Nigerians in Libya are facing widespread arrests amid intensified calls for the deportation of foreign workers. The ruling favored Nigeria after the Super Eagles endured mistreatment during their visit to Libya for the second leg of their African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match. The aftermath has escalated tensions, with virtual campaigns and Libyan media pushing for stricter actions against foreign nationals, specifically Nigerians.
LIBYA INF.TV, a major news platform, highlighted on its Facebook page that the campaigns are gaining momentum, sparking widespread condemnation from human rights organizations. “Virtual campaigns have recently escalated in Libya demanding the deportation of foreign workers and restricting their activity in the country, sparking a wave of condemnation from human rights organizations warning of the spread of feelings of hatred and incitement against hundreds of thousands of foreigners residing in this Maghreb country,” it said.
Libya News Today 1, a local blog, has urged the government to crack down on undocumented Nigerian workers, proposing fines and even taxation as means of control. Adenaike Emmanuel, a Nigerian living in Tripoli, confirmed these fears in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, stating that arrests had already begun. “They have already started. The news came out on Saturday, and they were saying they can’t accept it and that they are not the ones who will pay the money,” she reported. Emmanuel added, “People are being arrested in various areas, and Libyans are openly showing their resentment.”
Peter Omoregbie, President of the Nigerian community in Libya, verified the arrests in a widely circulated video last Monday. “The arrests started on Sunday night in some areas in Tedora. They are arresting innocent people. They don’t even care whether you have passports or residence permits,” he said, expressing frustration over the targeting of Nigerians.
Omoregbie believes the arrests are connected to the CAF ruling, which penalized the Libyan Football Federation with a $50,000 fine and awarded Nigeria three goals and three points. The CAF decision followed a formal complaint from the Nigeria Football Federation, detailing the logistical and travel challenges faced by the Super Eagles, including an 18-hour airport delay.
In response, Libyan media and social media platforms began advocating for measures against Nigerian workers, implying that the Nigerian community should bear the financial burden of the CAF fine. As a result, tensions have continued to rise, with both Nigerian community leaders and human rights organizations urging international intervention.
The situation remains tense, with the Nigerian Embassy and community leaders facing limited options to protect their people amidst a charged atmosphere.
