Nigerians living in Libya are facing mass arrests, fines, and deportation threats following a recent ruling by the Confederation of African Football, CAF.
Cyber Reporters reports that CAF awarded Nigeria’s Super Eagles three points and three goals for a game that was abandoned due to the poor treatment of the team in Libya.
The Libyan Football Federation president, Nasser Al-Suwai’I, described the decision as “unjust and malicious” and alleged that the Nigeria Football Federation’s influence within CAF played a major role in the outcome.
As a result, Libyan media outlets are urging the government to take action against Nigerian workers without legal documents.
A popular Libyan news blog posted that Nigerian workers must pay $500 plus taxes, and those who refuse deportation will receive “no mercy”.
A Libyan TV presenter even stated that Nigerians working in Libya without paying taxes are earning “haram” or sinful money.
Cyber Reporters gathered that the situation is not an isolated incident, as migrants in Libya have long faced human rights abuses, including forced labor, sexual exploitation, and arbitrary detention.
Many migrants have reported being compelled to accept assisted returns to escape these conditions, only to face significant difficulties integrating into their countries and communities of origin.
It was gathered that the United Nations Human Rights Office has documented human rights violations and abuses faced by migrants in Libya, including forced labor, sexual exploitation, and arbitrary detention.
