By PAULINE PODKA
NIGERIAN Government has summoned Libya’s Chargé d’Affaires amid the ongoing crisis involving the Super Eagles stranded in Libya after their flight was diverted.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, at the State House Monday, confirmed that the team was redirected to Al Abraq Airport, which lacked aviation fuel, leaving them unable to depart for Benghazi.
He explained that efforts are being made to refuel the aircraft and expedite their return.
Asked to speak on the issue, Tuggar said: “Well, it’s the most unfortunate situation, because the Super Eagles flew to Libya to play a match. As you know, the Libyan team was here; they were supposed to land in Uyo; instead, they went and landed in Port Harcourt, where they were not supposed to land.
“And now our team has gone to Libya, and somehow the plane gets diverted to a different airport. And unfortunately, at that airport, there is no aviation fuel, because what we have decided is they need to refuel and get out, we will not be able to allow them to continue. No food.
“You know, it’s a good thing when they landed in Kano they actually even got some water, some cartoons of water otherwise even water would have been a problem. But suffice it to say that we have established contact with them. We’ve sent people from the mission to go there, representing the mission. They are in touch with the delegation.
“Now I am also communicating directly with the chairman, and since last night, we’ve been on the phone with the chargé d’affaires because Libya doesn’t have an ambassador here, so we’re in touch with the chargé d’affaires, and I’m heading back to the ministry now, where we have summoned the chargé d’affaires, the Libyan chargé d’affaires.
“This issue has to be resolved as quickly as possible. So we’re on top of the situation,” he said.
The situation has drawn criticism from players, with captain William Troost-Ekong describing their treatment as “disgraceful” and alleging mind games from Libyan authorities.