Uche Nwafor recounts the moment his dreadlocks was shaved off by military men; many react

Former Super Eagles striker and Brazil 2014 World Cup star, Uche Nwafor, recently shared a distressing experience on his Instagram page.

Nwofor represented Nigeria at the U-20 level, where he scored four goals in five games, finishing as the highest goal scorer of the 2011 African U-20 AFCON. Nigeria won their sixth continental title in Johannesburg during that tournament.

He recounted being at a barracks in Onitsha, Anambra State, enjoying time with friends when Nigerian Army personnel approached him. Despite his attempts to explain his identity as a former Super Eagles player, they disregarded his pleas and forcibly cut off his dreadlocks while he was seated on the floor.

He said: "What did I do? I am not a yahoo boy, not a tout inside barracks artillery 302. Onitsha sat me on the floor and started barbing my hair after giving information about me. No offence, sir, I am an ex-Super Eagles player. I have met you with the same friends as Ozor, an ex-Enyimb FC player. No violence, just relaxing and drinking as I see army barracks as a safe place to be,” Nwofor stated.

In response to the distressing incident, Harrison Jalla, Chairman of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), offered reassurance to Uche Nwafor. Jalla assured him that the matter had been thoroughly investigated, and appropriate measures were being taken. He emphasized that those responsible for the ordeal would be held accountable for their actions.

“This is incredible and condemnable. As a retired football player who served the country in various capacities, Nwofor shouldn’t be treated so shabbily. He has the right to do whatever he likes with his looks. What gives the soldiers the impression that his dreadlocks are not natural?

“We are taking this up because this kind of thing shouldn’t be allowed to happen. That was how the police killed Dele Udoh in cold blood. We would write a strong-worded letter to the Chief of Army Staff, demanding that a thorough investigation of the incident be carried out.” - Jalla said.

However, the post sparked a barrage of reactions, with footballers and others condemning the soldiers' actions.

Former Eagles striker Victor Obinna Nsofor wrote, “I’m so sorry, bro, this is unacceptable.”

tz_jtodins stated, “Nawaooo! Dem leave terrorist dey terrorise Nigerian international players. Someone stood with the flag at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It’s almost the same as attacking a fellow soldier. They both served the country.”

Also, Paulillah wrote, “Report them to the Army Headquarters in Abuja. Two, file a case at the state high court. Three, report them to the National Human Rights Commission.

Dapope247 stated, “Please, let’s keep tagging all the bloggers and making this go viral… This young man served Nigeria only for the Nigerian Army to humiliate him. Come on. Uche Nwofor is a complete gentleman; he is law-abiding, and that is why he was able to play for the Super Eagles. Please, let’s fish out the people behind this humiliation.”