Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu has received emotional words of sympathy from the president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, following reports that the ex-player’s Hardley Hotel Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos is under litigation.
Sports247.ng reports that Kanu visited the property on Tuesday, less than a week after he attended the African Football Awards ceremony in Dakar, Senegal, only to find the premises burgled and ransacked.
Kanu alleged further that all his football awards, Olympics medal and other memorable items have been stolen from the hotel, which he said was meant to be under seal after the legal dispute began in 2015.
‘Papilo’ also expressed concern that the property appears to have been taken over by unknown persons, which he says is infraction of a closure by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) since 2015, over allegations of debts owed by the hotel.
In his reaction, Pinnick said the invaders have considered the charitable works of Kanu, who is helping Nigerians with heart defects to overcome their medical conditions, years after he brought honour to the country.
Pinnick lamented: “Our superstar and former captain is in intense pain at this period, and we empathise with him.
“This is a tragedy. Losing precious possessions like medals, trophies and plaques can be heartbreaking.
“We respectfully call on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to work hard at unraveling the perpetrators of these nefarious act.
“Kanu worked very hard from a humble beginning to accumulate whatever he has today and to earn those precious valuables.
“Kanu brought immense joy and celebration to many homes across Nigeria, Africa and the world, while playing for the Nigeria U17 team that won the FIFA World Cup.
“The U23 team that he captained to Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996 and the Super Eagles for which he featured at three FIFA World Cup finals.
“He also served several top clubs in world football, giving them and their fans nothing but immeasurable joy.
“He has also been spending heavily, through his Kanu Heart Foundation, in getting medical attention for young Africans with heart defects to be cured and live normal lives.
“He does not deserve this cruel fate. Our confidence in the police and other security agencies to hunt down these criminals is unshaken.
“We stand with Kanu at this low moment and we believe he will overcome and put the sad incident behind him soonest.”
