Sports Ministry officials are still stunned by the audacious manner in which robbers invaded the Abuja National Stadium (now rechristened Moshood Abiola Stadium) to cart away expensive electronic gadgets installed by the government for the convenience of the users of the facility in probably the biggest heist the country has witnessed in recent years.
The Stadium, modelled after the VfB Stuttgart in Germany had until recent years been the pride of the nation, once hosting the 2003 All-African Games, and other top international events which included the final of the Nigeria 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
But the activities of vandals, robbers and cattle rearers have since reduced the edifice named after the late Chief MKO Abiola, a former Pillar of Sports in Africa, to a shadow of it's old self.
In what looked like a well rehearsed and well executed job, staffers of the sports ministry at the stadium arrived one morning to discover that computers, refrigerators and air conditioners had disappeared without trace, further provoking questions as to what gains the country derives from the millions of Naira usually paid to security outfits to guard the property.
This reporter's investigations revealed that the lax security at the stadium's key entry points could have emboldened daredevil thieves to carry out their nefarious act as vehicles are hardly checked when either going in or exiting it.
"This robbery could have been averted if the security guards stationed at the various entry points at the stadium were not so preoccupied with patronising vehicle owners going in and out of the place in the hope they could be tipped," a worker at the stadium who spoke on condition of anonymity told Weekly Sports Review (WSR).
According to this unnamed source, the unrestrained traffic of humans into the edifice has made the security situation even more unmanageable with the private guards getting distracted by pecuniary considerations.
"The security in this stadium is very lax. Apart from the security guards getting distracted, we also have to contend with the activities of herdsmen who graze their cattle with what is supposed to be the lush, green playing turf meant for football games.
"I tell you, the only place that is safe is the NFF Secretariat located within the premises because they have their own security arrangements as distinct from that of the ministry," he added.
Further findings would also reveal that both Parkage A and B of the Stadium were the most affected by the robbery which have left staffers lamenting about their fate when the weather becomes more humid during the dry season just around the corner.
However, some of the workers are taking solace in the fact that the security in the stadium will improve now that the new Sports Minister's office is located just close by.
When this writer reached out to the Director of Stadium Facilities Alanamu Abolari, he refused to confirm or deny the report. In his words, "I have no comment and as a civil servant, I can't speak. It's only the Permanent Secretary that can speak. So, I'll advise you to go and meet the Permanent Secretary," Abolari said.
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