Rita Odafe
A Tunisian pilot, who operated the ValueJet flight carrying the Nigerian Super Eagles to Libya, disclosed that Libyan authorities ordered him to reroute the plane unexpectedly.
The pilot noted that the flight was initially scheduled to land in Benghazi, as sanctioned by the aviation officials. However, just before reaching their target, the aircraft was directed to a different airport.
“The initial plan was to arrive in Benghazi, and we had received clearance from the Libyan civil aviation authority,” he shared.
“Unfortunately, as we approached for landing, we were instructed to head to Mitiga, which is about 150 miles (300 km) from our original route. This was not even our contingency airport.”
The pilot expressed concerns about the diversion affecting their fuel level and the overall safety of the flight.
“I raised my concerns multiple times, at least eight, emphasizing the potential fuel issues,” he recounted. “They insisted the directive came from the highest level and that we had to proceed to Mitiga immediately.”
Afterward, the pilot followed the orders and managed to land safely at Mitiga, despite the challenges.
“The facilities at Mitiga were inadequate; there was no ILS or other navigational aids, so we had to rely on visual landing,” he noted. “This was a critical moment for our operation, and I was familiar with the area, but it was certainly not straightforward.”
“Our flight plan is transparent. Aviation protocols involve extensive checks, so we cannot conceal anything or misrepresent the facts,” he affirmed.
This account comes amidst reports from Super Eagles players about mistreatment by Libyan authorities prior to their match on Tuesday, which led to the team boycotting and returning home after being stuck at the airport for 20 hours.
Captain William Troost-Ekong highlighted the situation in a series of tweets, labeling it as “disgraceful” and accusing the local organizers of psychological tactics.
He explained that the team was left in a deserted airport without food, drink, or cellular service.
Nigeria secured a 1-0 victory against Libya on October 11 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, with the return match scheduled for October 15 in Libya.
Watch the pilot’s insights in the video below…
The Tunisian pilot who flew Nigeria to Libya explained what really happened.
This was wickedness from Libya. pic.twitter.com/45notDTLlL
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) October 15, 2024
