Super Eagles team narrowly escaped being shot at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja yesterday when plain-clothed policemen arrested Shehu Dikko the chairman of the League Management Committee (LMC).
Mr Dikko was picked up upon arrival from Zambia having gone with the Eagles to play a World Cup qualifier against the Copper Bullets in Ndola. He was celebrating with the team as they savoured their 2-1 away victory but his joy was short lived as he was arrested by security officials shortly after landing in Abuja.
Policemen has to disperse the crowd that came to welcome the Super Eagles from their victorious outing in Zambia as overjoyed Nigerians had stayed late to welcome their team at the airport. As the Eagles and their officials filed out from the arrival hall to the beating of drums and songs, two plain clothes policemen accosted Mr Dikko claiming that Federal Capital Territory police commissioner wanted to see him.
They had no arrest warrants and as officials and players gathered to know what was going on, one of the officers pulled out a gun and shot into the air. Pandemonium broke out as the Eagles scampered for safety.
Both officials and fans resisted the arrest as they asked for their warrant of arrest but the policemen were adamant that Mr Dikko had to leave with them and threatened to shoot anybody that stood on their way. Nigerian Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick pleaded that they should not turn the joy of victory to sadness but his please fell on deaf ears.
Even cameramen who were taking pictures were threatened by the adamant officer who led the police, as he said that he cared less the Eagles’ victory. Policemen at the airport joined in and persuaded the officer to put away his gun.
Mr Dikko had been declared wanted by a federal high court sitting in Jos who ordered the LMC to suspend the Nigerian league and reinstate Giwa FC which filed the suit pending the determination of the suit before it. However, the LMC filed an appeal as well as a stay of execution.
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