SWAN Decries DSS Intimidation of NFF officials

In a statement, made by Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos Chapter, signed by its chairman, Mr. Fred Edoreh, the sports journalists decried the arrest on Wednesday of the NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Ahmadu, few days after the Federation President; Alhaji Aminu Maigari was arrested on arrival from a FIFA meeting in Zurich, […]

In a statement, made by Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos Chapter, signed by its chairman, Mr. Fred Edoreh, the sports journalists decried the arrest on Wednesday of the NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Ahmadu, few days after the Federation President; Alhaji Aminu Maigari was arrested on arrival from a FIFA meeting in Zurich, Switzerland.
Voicing their concerns, Lagos SWAN asked why the arbitrary arrest and detention of football officials by the Department of State Security (DSS) has become common place in the process of the NFF elections.
“In the last four days alone, we have had four different persons including the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, and the General Secretary, Barrister Musa Ahmadu, Barrister Chris Green and some of the election candidates who were equally picked up on separate days”, Lagos SWAN pointed out.
The statement observed that the scenario of curious state security detentions, invitations and interrogation of seemingly marked individual has been perpetuated steadily in the run up to the NFF Congresses given the impression that it is a concerted attempt to intimidate and keep them out of circulation. “This is obviously similar to the script that unfolded in the days leading to the non-elective Congress of August 26 in Abuja”.
Lagos SWAN noted that no formal charges have been brought against those that have been suffering in the hands of the DSS since the return of the Super Eagles from Brazil and the commencement of the NFF Electoral process.
“We don’t have any issues when anyone that has breached the law of the country is arrested and prosecuted but what we have been witnessing appear to be a systematic intimidation and harassment of persons opposed to the manipulation of the electoral process”.
Lagos SWAN wondered how the electoral preferences, ambitions and aspirations of football stakeholders have become a threat to state security.
“This is an unacceptable introduction in our sports politics and it should not be allowed to stay and spiral into other associations. “Our worst fear is that it may continue but will plead that this attitude should not be brought to bear against the expected election of September 30 in Warri”
SWAN warned that the activities of the DSS in the elections will be deemed by FIFA as state interference in football matters and may attract the suspended sanctions.
“Nigeria has enjoyed many periods of grace from FIFA and what is happening now is a direct invitation to ban. We have the choice of allowing a free election or incurring FIFA ban and the attendant consequences which is very well known to us”, they cautioned