Emeka, Kaiser Hamid released

Police let go former football captain and Nigerian footballer but seize the firearm

Dhaka, Sep 6 (bdnews24.com) — The police have released former Nigerian footballer Emeka Ezeugo, who was detained on Monday evening for unlawful possession of a firearm.

Gulshan police also released the original owner of the revolver, former national football captain Kaiser Hamid on Tuesday morning.

The police, however, seized the loaded revolver, which is licensed to Kaiser.

After his arrest, Emeka claimed that Kaiser had given him the revolver. Police called Kaiser to the Gulshan station and questioned both of them.

Gulshan division deputy police commissioner Khandaker Lutful Kabir on Tuesday told bdnews24.com that they were released after signing a bond but the firearm was seized.

"The gun is indeed licensed to Kaiser, but he should not have given it to Emeka," Lutful Kabir said.

"Legal measures will be taken against them," he added.

Kaiser Hamid said there was no reason to get so worked up with such a 'trifling matter'. "I don't think it is such a big deal."

The archway metal detector at the entrance of Westin Hotel at Gulshan gave away Emeka as he was about to enter the five-star Starwood hotel housing the Nigerian national football team around 11:30pm on Monday. The police found the revolver in Emeka's bag when the alarm led to a search of his belongings.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to play Argentina in a friendly on Tuesday at 7pm in Dhaka.

When security personnel asked him of Kaiser's whereabouts, Emeka told them that he was at the Bangladesh Football Federation. Police then took Emeka to Gulshan station and also asked Kaiser to come.

Gulshan police said Emeka rented room 1004 at Westin on Sunday and was detained on his way to his room.

A towering central defender, Kaisar Hamid, played together with Emeka for the Mohammadan Sporting Club several years. Kaiser received National Sports Award in 2003.

Emeka used to play for Mohammedan and Kolkata-based East Bengal in the late 80s.

Emeka was first capped for Nigeria at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. He earned 11 caps for the national team between 1992 and 1994, and was a member of the team that competed at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

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