Dolphins Want Pillars Investigated Over Threats

China Acheru, the Media Officer of the reigning Nigeria Premier League, NPL Champions, Dolphins, have enjoined the board of the NPL to carry out an investigation into what transpired in one of their matches against Kano Pillars.

Dolphins want the NPL board and security agencies to look into threats made by Kano Pillars shortly after the league game between both sides in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Acheru opined that a Pillars official identified as Kabiru Baleria pointed at the Dolphins bench and warned them not to go to Kano for the reverse fixture or else they (Pillars) will set Boko Haram (the violent terrorist group) on them.

“It was an irresponsible statement to make but we are not taking it lightly,” Acheru said.

“I agree it was said in the heat of the moment and they felt aggrieved conceding a goal at the death but people should watch what they say.

“In the last two years, we have had people killed, churches blown up and more threats made by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, and if a person like Kabiru Baleria who played football to the top level in his day can make a statement like that, he must be called in by the security agencies for questioning, because he must have a link with them.”

Acheru named three Port Harcourt-based journalists, Florence Israel of Sporting Life, Carl Orakwue of Cool/Wazobia FM and Nduka Orjinmo, as direct witnesses who heard Baleria said: “Walahi if you people come to Kano we will use Boko Haram to blow you up. Don’t even bother coming. We will use them to kill you.”

Dolphins have already written to the Nigeria Premier League intimating them of the threat on their lives and will have to write to the Inspector General of Police to look into the matter.

The game was goalless until the 98th minute when Dolphins scored through Emem Eduok.

Pillars protested the eight minutes of added time but officials of Dolphins believed the referees were spot on, as there were two major injuries in the second half and added time.

Dolphins’ goalkeeper, Austin Brown was down for about five minutes while in added time, Pillars’ goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai, was down for three minutes.