Former Nigerian footballer Uche Nwofor petitions the Chief of Army Staff for justice after an alleged assault by soldiers in Onitsha. Human rights lawyer demands investigation and compensation for rights violations.
Former Nigerian footballer Uche Nwofor has petitioned the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, seeking justice after being allegedly assaulted by soldiers. The incident occurred on May 20, 2024, at Modebe Memorial Primary School in Onitsha. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong described the attack as "barbaric, absurd, condescending, and embarrassing," asserting that the soldiers violated Nwofor's right to dignity.
Effiong's petition urges the Army Chief to form a disciplinary panel to investigate the incident and ensure the soldiers involved are punished. He also requests monetary compensation for Nwofor. According to the petition, Nwofor and his friends, including former Enugu Rangers International player Ozor Philips and Turkey-based Uzoma Charles, were at the Onitsha Army Barracks when they were approached by soldiers. Charles was ordered to sit on the road and had his dreadlocks forcibly shaved off with unhygienic scissors.
Nwofor, who resisted initially, was eventually forced to sit on the road as well. The soldiers mocked and called them names like “Yahoo boy” and “bad boy.” The petition emphasizes that Nwofor's treatment was a gross violation of his fundamental human rights and calls for immediate action against the soldiers responsible.
Nwofor, a former Super Eagles star, has brought joy to many football-loving Nigerians. His clean dreadlocks, maintained without committing any crime, were unjustly targeted. Effiong demands that the Army address this injustice and compensate Nwofor for the violation of his rights.
