Former Nigeria under-20 winger Rilwanu Sarki has reportedly been arrested by Nigerian authorities after arriving at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The 22-year-old currently plays for Al Ain FC and recently completed a successful campaign in the United Arab Emirates, where the club won both the UAE Pro League title and the UAE President’s Cup.
Although Sarki made only eight appearances throughout the season, he was part of the squad that secured the domestic double before returning to Nigeria for the off-season break.
Police investigation linked to arrest
According to reports, the winger was intercepted at the Abuja airport by a joint team involving the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The arrest was reportedly connected to an ongoing criminal investigation dating back more than a year, with claims that Sarki failed to honour several police invitations related to the matter.
However, details surrounding the alleged case have not been made public.
Reports also suggest that efforts are already ongoing behind the scenes to secure the player’s release, with contacts reportedly being made to senior officials within both security agencies.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the Nigeria Immigration Service had released an official statement regarding the incident.
Sarki – former Flying Eagles player
Sarki represented Nigeria at youth level between 2022 and 2023 and was part of the Flying Eagles squad that finished third at the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
The winger also featured at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where Nigeria reached the quarter-finals.
His performances during that period earned him a move to Al Ain in 2023 as he continued his development abroad.
