Credit: NFF
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expresses deep concern regarding the recent surge in robbery incidents targeting players and officials of football clubs travelling by road within the country for domestic league matches.
The NFF appeals to security forces to develop additional measures to safeguard road users nationwide.
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Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary of the NFF, voiced his distress on Friday, highlighting the disturbing trend. Instances such as the attacks on FC One Rocket from Abat, Akwa Ibom State, and Sunshine Stars from Akure, have raised significant alarms.
Both clubs experienced attacks resulting in injuries and the loss of belongings over the past few days.
Sanusi remarked, “The NFF is profoundly disturbed and disheartened by this unjustifiable trend. Initially, FC One Rocket fell victim to an attack in Ihiala, Anambra State, losing various valuables while returning from an NNL match against Ikorodu City in Lagos.
On Thursday, December 7, 2023, armed robbers targeted players and officials of Sunshine Stars on the Ore-Benin Road, resulting in a ball boy being shot.
This is deeply troubling, and we earnestly implore security personnel to devise innovative strategies to ensure the safety and security of lives and property on our roads.”
Expressing empathy for the affected clubs, Sanusi urged players, coaches, and management not to let these incidents dampen their spirits or negatively impact their pursuit of titles in the current season.
“On behalf of the Nigerian football community, we extend our sympathies to the two teams affected by these unfortunate attacks and trust that they will not be psychologically deterred in their quest for honours this football season,” Sanusi concluded.
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