What could have been a major disaster was prevented at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday, when a plain cloth policeman trying to arrest Chairman of the League Management Committee, Shehu Dikko, dispersed the crowd that came to welcome the Super Eagles from their victorious outing from Ndola, Zambia.

Overjoyed Nigerians had stayed late to welcome their Eagles 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 Chairman of the LMC, Dikko claiming that Abuja Police Commissioner wanted to see him. They had no arrest warrants.

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.

The police official was adamant to pleas as he threatened to shoot anybody that stood on his way.

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, pleaded that they should not turn the joy of victory to sadness from the 2-1 win of Zambia in the 2018 World Cup qualifier.

Cameramen who were clicking for pictures were threatened by the adamant officer who said that he cared less the victory of the Eagles. By this time, policemen at the airport joined and persuaded the officer to put away his gun.

Dikko had been declared wanted by a Federal High Court sitting in Jos which ordered the LMC to suspend the Nigerian League and reinstate Giwa FC which filed the suit pending the determination of the suit before it. But the LMC filed an appeal as well as a stay of execution. The Nigerian League was rounded off last week with Rangers International of Enugu emerging champions.

•Text courtesy of Vanguard. Photo shows Super Eagles players at the airport.

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