The headquarters of the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja, the Glass House was gutted by fire on Wednesday.
The office of the NFF general secretary was reportedly razed down, along with those of other principal officers of the federation.
A source in Abuja told NigerianEye that the offices of the President and the accounts department might also be affected by the inferno.
This comes on the heels of acrimonious events leading to the August 26 congress meeting.
Senior federal fire service chief Imo Eyo described the damage as “huge” and said there was no immediate indication of foul play.
“We suspect a circuit fault to have led to the fire but a proper enquiry would be carried out by the authorities,” he added.
Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) technical director Emmanuel Ikpeme said the blaze appeared to have started in the office of a senior accounts manager.
“We thought it was something that could be contained by the fire extinguisher,” he told reporters.
“But before we knew it, the fire spread to the general-secretary’s office and from there, there couldn’t be any control.”
The NFF has been in crisis for several months and FIFA suspended the organisation in July over what it said was “government interference” in its affairs.
That followed a Nigerian court ruling that sacked the NFF high command and the government appointed a sole administrator to run the game.
The ban, which threatened Nigeria’s participation in the FIFA under-20 women’s World Cup this month, was later lifted.
But the NFF executive board then gave a vote of no confidence in president Aminu Maigari and sacked him over allegations of financial misappropriation, misapplication and maladministration.
Maigari was however reinstated because FIFA said that correct procedure had not been followed. He returned to work this week.
NFF secretary-general Musa Amadu cautioned against attributing blame for the fire but added: “Thank God no lives were lost but this is sad and unfortunate.”
Ikpeme added: “It’s very sad, more so that Nigerians know that we have been having some challenges in the Nigerian Football Federation.
“When we thought it was all over only for us to come this morning and experience this kind of thing. It’s a very, very serious matter.
“You can imagine, most of the NFF’s sensitive and important documents of the NFF are in the secretary-general’s office and for the fire to destroy the accountants’ office is very sad.
“It’s a set-back for the NFF.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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This is Arson and some people are trying to burn important document that may incriminate them for stealing the coffers. But like everything else in Nigeria pertaining to Government this will also go unresolved and swept under the carpet.
ReplyDeleteThey think we are kids after milking the Nation dry they sets the document ablase to cover up their attrosities in that office. But they can nevr cover or burn Gods own copy of those documents.But sooner than later He the Almighty that seeth in secret will expose their evil deed against great Nation.IJN.
ReplyDeleteNiija, Niija, I am afraid. Which kind country be this? Different approach to corruption and cover up. May God have mercy on us. People in authority, pls repent because the judgement of God is looming.
ReplyDeleteplot 2 incriminate aminu maigari. We knw d game. Remember d tym of sanusi?. It was also plot 2 incriminate sanusi by fg.
ReplyDeleteNo its nit a set back. uts mission accomplished. And the fire should have started in my bedroom or the car park. criminal covering their tracks.ask dem for soft copies of the burnt files they will tell u there is non. in an era were children back up their games on phones and computers. Make una continue to dey fool una self. Alika
ReplyDeleteAll these things are happening because FIFA has turned to an organisation built on corruption,impunity and that are bent on protecting corrupt officials and federations. For me,Nigeria can do without international football for few years.Government should make sure that they get to the root of the matter and sanction all the officers implicated.But first,Nigeria must withdraw from all activities of FIFA till further notice till they clean up this mess in the football federation. Government cannot afford to be giving taxpayers money to group of corrupt,inefficient and callous people. We cannot continue to celebrate impunity and corruption.
ReplyDelete