Nigeria is at a risk of losing their second-place finish at the 2015 All Africa Games (AAG), after it was confirmed that five of its athletes tested positive to use of banned drugs.
Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, revealed this on Thursday during a meeting with the Nigeria Olympics Committee leadership.
He stated that some failed the test at the AAG, while the others tested positive at the AFN Championship in Warri.
Dalung admitted that this development may lead to Nigeria losing five medals won at the competition.
“It is true that some Nigerian athletes tested positive to banned substances at the last AAG. As a result, five medals have been indicted and we risk losing them and that informed why we are meeting with NOC,” he said.
“We are still intensifying our advocacy on anti-doping. It is not always as we say it! Some times these athletes take it through food or drug to treat some ailments without knowing its application. That is why we are intensifying our efforts.”
The athletes involved are Deborah Odeyemi, Chinazo Amadi and Samson Idiata in athletics and Sunday Eze and Thomas Kure of para athletics and power lifting respectively.
They have all been banned for four years.
