Rangers defender Leon Balogun has condemned the "unacceptable treatment" of his Nigeria team-mates during the international break.

According to reports, the Super Eagles national team were "held hostage" at an airport in Al Abraq.

Nigeria were due to face Libya in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday night but players are now refusing to participate over the situation.

It's claimed the players were flying into Libya and were due to land at Benghazi airport before a diversion as their plane was descending. They then landed at Al Albraq - which is hours away from their destination.

An NFF statement has stated the flight was "strangely and in a dangerous manner" diverted away from Benghazi and the players will no longer compete and instead return to Nigeria.

It read: “Super Eagles still at Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya!

“The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya.

“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport. We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations.

“Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, said to be 3 hours away in Benghazi.

“The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft.

“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”

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 While Balogun is not involved in the Nigeria squad currently, he vented over the situation on social media. 

The defender posted on X: "Hey @CAF_Online - surely you’re going to investigate thoroughly and take action, right?

"Whoever is responsible for this needs to be held accountable. This is unacceptable!!"

Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong had stated the situation was down to "mind games" as he blasted the scenario with players sleeping in the airport behind locked gates and without phone reception, food or drink.

He claimed:  "12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.

"I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian Pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before.

"Upon arrival he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be denied at every hotel again under Government instruction. He could sleep there but NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked up.

"At this point we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game. CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow.

"This kind of behaviour, let them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security it’s not safe. We can only imagine what the hotel or food would be like given to us IF we continued.

"We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen but these things on purpose have nothing to do with int. football."

Wilfred Ndidi, who plays for Leicester at club level, added: "This is not football. Very embarrassing. Hostage to a national team. Disgrace."