FC Ifeanyi Ubah Bus Attacked By Gunmen

Gunmen have fired at a bus carrying FC Ifeanyi Ubah players to a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match, wounding players and members of the technical bench.

The attackers machine-gunned the vehicle on its way to Kano for Ubah’s weekend fixture against Jigawa Golden Stars.

Eight people, including at least three players, were wounded during the shooting, reports said. Midfielder Samuel Kalu was among those hurt and goalkeeper Sharp Uzoigwe was also reportedly injured.

The bus driver was shot and badly injured in the attack by the suspected robbers, who wore police uniforms. He was out of danger after being struck by a bullet and being treated by doctors, the club said.

“At about 1:30 pm today, players of FC Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra Warriors) who were travelling to Kano…ran into a group of armed robbers dressed in NYSC uniforms, operating at Kabba junction, near Lokoja in Kogi State,” reads the club statement.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “To the glory of God, no life was lost. However, the driver was shot while some members of the coaching crew and players were critically injured. The affected persons are currently being treated and are responding to treatment.”   [/perfectpullquote]

The club manager Uche Okagbue said the number of injuries could have been much higher had the gunmen not originally fired on the wrong bus.

Midfielder Nzediegwu Nonso, who is injured and did not travel with the rest of his teammates, told reporters he was in touch with his colleagues and happy there was no casualties.

“I have spoken to my teammates, they are in a stable condition, we are grateful no life was lost though I am aware some are injured, especially the driver,” Nzediegwu stated.

The identities of those injured, who also included team staff, have not yet been confirmed.