CITIZENS COMPASS —Some players and officials of Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure, Ondo State, were critically injured following an attack by some suspected gunmen.
This occurred on Thursday December 7, 2023, along the Benin-Ore Expressway.
It was gathered that the hoodlums shot at the bus conveying the team to Benin City, Edo State capital, where they were going to honour the Match Day 13 of the Nigeria Premier Football League against Bendel Insurance FC of Benin.
It was also learnt the team manager, Mr. Seun Betiku, and an official of the team were injured.
Michael Akintunde, the Media Officer of the club in Abuja confirmed the attack in a statement.
He said that the incident occurred at about 5.30 p.m. along Ore-Benin Expressway.
“It saddens our hearts to inform Nigerians, especially football lovers, that our team was attacked a few minutes ago along Ore-Benin Expressway to honour an Elite League tie against Insurance of Benin, scheduled for this weekend,” the club said.
“Our ball boy was shot in the horrible attack; our team manager and other club officials, including players, are seriously injured,” it added.
Some pictures of the attack revealed one of the team members lying down on a hospital bed with a severe injury on his stomach, apparently from a gunshot
Similarly, the vehicle screens and body were riddled with bullets.
Akintunde said the “seriously injured” people were taken to a nearby hospital with the help of the Nigerian Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers.
“It took the intervention of officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps that helped rescue the injured officials and the shot individual to a nearby hospital. We hope you join us in prayers,” the club said.
At press time, reasons behind the attack could not be ascertained.
