Nigeria Denies Apology to Libya Over Super Eagles’ Detention in Benghazi

 

Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar has firmly denied allegations of offering an apology to Libya following the detention of the Super Eagles, in Benghazi during their trip for a match recently The incident led to rumors suggesting that the Nigerian government had formally apologized to ease tensions However Tuggar was prompt, in clarifying that no such apology was ever extended


Addressing the public and the media, Tuggar stressed that while Nigeria acknowledges the unfortunate situation surrounding the team’s detention, the government never found it necessary to issue an apology. "We handled the matter diplomatically, but at no point did we apologize to Libya," he affirmed. This comes after days of speculation that the Nigerian government had taken steps to appease Libyan officials following the incident.


The minister went further to explain that the detention was an internal mishap and not a diplomatic rift requiring an apology. "Nigeria does not apologize for exercising due process or safeguarding the interests of its citizens abroad. The Super Eagles were briefly held due to miscommunication, and we swiftly resolved the matter. But there’s no apology here," Tuggar said.


The rumors of an apology had been circulating widely, causing confusion among both the Nigerian public and international observers. Tuggar’s clarification seeks to put these rumors to rest, reaffirming Nigeria's commitment to its football team and its stance in international diplomacy. He urged the media to refrain from spreading unverified claims and emphasized the importance of getting accurate information to avoid diplomatic misunderstandings.


In the aftermath of the Super Eagles’ detention, Nigeria has taken steps to ensure such incidents don’t repeat, but the government has been clear: no formal apology was issued, nor was it necessary.