Former Nigeria international, Benedict Akwuegbu, has sympathised with FC Ifeanyi Ubah over the armed robbery attack on the team at Lokoja on their way to Kano for a Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, matchday-six clash against Jigawa Golden Stars, Completesports.com reports.
The team, traveling in club bus, was attacked by armed men allegedly clad in NYSC uniforms who emerged from the bush at Kabba and started shooting sporadically at the bus, leaving the driver seriously injured.
As at Friday night, the driver had been given three pints of blood with club officials in a frantic effort to remedy the situation.
Akwuegbu described the incident as “seriously dangerous” to the game in Nigeria and heaped praises to God that no life was lost.
“It’s unfortunate that we get to hear of such barbaric incidents happening to our footballers,” Akwuegbu said.
“This is seriously dangerous to football and security officials must fish out those behind it.
“My heart is with the club and players over this incident. My prayer is for all the players and officials to overcome this incident”.
Akwuegbu wonders why there are no better travel arrangement for clubs through the league organisers.
“There should be airline partners to the league so that teams should travel by air. There should also be insurance partners to the league,” Akwuegbu told Completesports.com
“The way we have league title sponsors and TV sponsors, we should also have airline/train partnership as well as insurance.
“Of course, security is important. Organisers of the league must guarantee players and officials security before, during and after matches.
“A situation where a football team is attacked by armed men is dangerous to the game and to the lives of the players, coaches and officials,” Akwuegbu stressed.
