By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, strongly condemned the inhumane treatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles by Libyan authorities, even as the Lower Chamber asked the federal government to summon the Libyan Ambassador to Nigeria to explain the circumstances surrounding holding the senior national football team hostage for 14 hours without water.
The House equally directed the Nigeria Football Federation to make an official complaint to the Confederation of African Football and the Federation of International Football Association on the inhuman treatment.
The Eagles had travelled with about 22 players, technical crew, NFF officials and some members of the House who were unable to get to their destination on Sunday as their aircraft diverted to a smaller airport and kept for 14 hours.
The House resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by the chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Kabiru Ahmadu who reminded the House that the senior national team were supposed to play the return leg of the Nation’s Cup qualifier after the first leg in Uyo.
He also said the Super Eagle contingent included some members of the House led by the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Sport and the Deputy Governor of Edo state, Comrade Phillip Shuaibu.
He lamented that the players and officials were diverted by the Libyan authorities to an almost abandoned airport which is reserved for an emergency landing, but lacks the basic facilities and subjected to inhumane treatment without food or water while being heavily guided.
He said as a result of the action, the players were unable to get their hotel in Benghazi, adding that the action should be condemned by all.
