The first direct sign of the brewing diplomatic row between Nigeria and Iran occured on Monday as the Nigerian Football Federation postponed its friendly football match against Iran.
Although the NFF Acting Secretary -General, Mr. Musa Amadu, told the Associated Press that the “non-availability of our key players,” was responsible for the development, a source in the NFF Glass House headquarters told THE PUNCH that it had “to do with the seized arms and ammunition at the Apapa port in Lagos.”
“We cannot go ahead with the match in view of the misunderstanding between our country and Iran over the weapons that were seized by intelligence agencies in Lagos port. We have to show understanding by postponing the match,” the source added.
They, however, did not say when the match would now be played. When pressed further on why the federation took the decision, the NFF chief replied, “You are free to speculate.”
The postponement of the match comes days after Nigeria said it would take action against Iran if its investigation showed it violated international law.
The arms and ammunition concealed in 13 containers were shipped from Iran to Nigeria. Two Iranians believed to be the importers are reported to be hiding in the Iranian Embassy in Abuja.
Reuters quoted diplomatic and security sources on Monday as saying that the suspects were senior members of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards.
Read More:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011163383190
No comments:
Post a Comment