The Super Eagles of Nigeria returned into the country on Sunday night, October 9, amidst violence at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport where fully armed unknown gunmen were waiting to arrest the League Management Company (LMC) chairman Shehu Dikko.
Dikko was part of the delegation that led the Eagles to Ndola where the Super Eagles defeated the Chipolopolo of Zambia 2 – 1.
Two men who were in mufti claiming to be police officers stated that they were from the Jos police command, stressing that they have been given the order to arrest Dikko who is also the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) vice chairman.
Our correspondent learnt that the acclaimed police officers failed to present identity cards or warrants to back their presence at the airport.
However, Dikko was said to be having a discussion with the Super Eagles’ players, and all efforts by the security agents to arrest him proved abortive.
The unknown men decided to shoot sporadically into the air when journalists, NFF officials and members of the club owners accosted them.
The Super Eagles players were hurriedly ushered into their bus before being driven off for the safety of their lives.
“It was hell last night for us as these two men just appeared from no where claiming they were police officers. They even threatened to shoot us, and we said they should go ahead, but they later left after shooting into the air,” a journalist told NAIJ.com.
The Super Eagles media personnel Toyin Ibitoye also confirmed the incident, but quickly added that he was not at the scene when it happened.
“Yes, but I was not around the place as I was at the place where we were offloading our bags, but I was later told of what happened,” he to NAIJ.com.
All players will now return to their respective clubs but will return for the in November for their next game against the Desert Foxes of Algeria who were held to a 1 – 1 draw by Cameroon.
Nigeria top CAF qualifying Group B with 3 points, followed by Algeria and Cameroon who have one point each. Zambia are fourth with no point.