Uche Nwofor has narrated how men of the Nigerian army humiliated him and his friend by forcing them to sit on the ground and cutting off their dreadlocks.

Recounting the incident, Uche described how the soldiers arrived, parked their vehicle and instructed them to come out of the shop they were in, ordered them to sit on the ground while they began forcibly cutting their hair.

Speaking to Brila Media, Uche recognized one of the soldiers, as he had previously paid them a courtesy visit before a novelty match in their community.

“We went there in January, me and Ozor, an ex-Enyimba FC player. We told him we were footballers and gave him a jersey with his name on it. He told us we were welcome to visit the barracks anytime,” Uche said.

However, when they encountered the soldiers, their pleas that Uche was a former international player fell on deaf ears.

“The soldier told us that when you come to Rome, you behave like a Roman,” Uche recounted.

Uche Nwofor played for the Flying Eagles and also represented the Super Eagles in the 2014 World Cup.

He was capped nine times for the senior National team, and scored three goals.

PFAN Writes Nigerian Army After Soldiers Abused Ex-Super Eagles Star

Following the incident, the Chairman of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria Task Force (PFAN), Harrison Jalla, expressed outrage over the alleged abuse of Uche and his friend.

In a statement, Jalla said PFAN would send a strongly worded letter to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja regarding the incident.

“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 soldier 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 will write a strongly worded letter to the Chief of Army Staff, demanding a thorough investigation of the incident,” he added.

Several football fans and human rights activists have also voiced their opinions on the matter, urging the appropriate authorities to identify and charge the responsible officers.