Operatives of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) on
Friday morning stormed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Glass
House Zone, 7, Wuse District, Abuja and took over the Secretariat.
It was gathered that they arrived the Glass House at exactly 11.30hrs
in a convoy of four Hilux vans armed with guns.
Aminu Maigari
This is just has sacked President of the NFF, Aminu Maigari, was
arrested by men of the DSS earlier in the day.
He was picked up at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja on
arrival from Brazil.
Nigeria crashed out of the World Cup going on in Brazil having lost
0-2 to France in the Round of 16 on Monday.
Secretary General of the NFF, Musa Amadu, however denied that the
incident was an arrest, saying Maigari was only invited for a chat,
cautioning that the situation shouldn’t be blown out of proportion.
“Maigari was indeed at the police headquarters but only at the
invitation of the Nigeria Police for a chat. Ahmadu said the meeting
was conducted in “an atmosphere of mutual respect.”
“The NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari had very useful discussions
at Force Headquarters. He was never at any time detained by the
police. It is necessary in order to put the records straight,” said
Amadu.
It will be recalled that Justice L.P. Lot of a High court sitting in
Jos, Plateau State, had on Wednesday, restrained Maigari, his
Executive Committee and the NFF Congress from carrying on with the
running of football in the country.
The Judge also mandated Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, to appoint an
acting Secretary General to run the affairs of Nigerian football
pending the determination of the Motion on Notice before the court.
Consequently, Sports Minister, Danagogo on Thursday appointed Mr.
Lawrence Katken, an Assistant Director (Administration) to take charge
of affairs at the NFF in the interim, technically making him a Sole
Administrator.