The Federal Government has denied a threat to the security of Nigerians in Libya following a recent ruling by the Confederation of African Football, CAF, in favour of Nigeria.
The CAF had awarded the Nigerian senior men’s football team, Super Eagles some points, and had fined Libya for alleged mistreatment of the Nigerian team during a Nations Cup Qualifying Match.
In the wake of the verdict from the Confederation of African Football, reports emerged of widespread arrests targeting Nigerian nationals in Libya.
A popular Libyan news blog, Libya News Today 1, had posted stating: “All Libyan TV channels are urging the government to arrest the Nigerian workers who are working here in Libya without legal papers.
“They have to pay $500 plus taxes.
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“The fine that Libya is accused of will be paid by Nigerian citizens who live in Libya.
“We have been subjected to injustice. 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, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigerians were safe in Libya.
The ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens in Libya.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to convey that 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.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to reiterate that the well-being of Nigerian citizens anywhere in the world is a top priority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will continue to strive to safeguard it at all times,” the statement read.
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