NFF Expresses Concern Over Robbery Attacks on Football Clubs, Empathizes with Sunshine Stars, FC One Rocket

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed its concern over the disturbing trend about the recent spate of robbery attacks on football clubs in Nigeria, particularly on players and officials of FC One Rocket and Sunshine Stars and has highlighted the need for enhanced security measures to protect football clubs traveling by road for domestic league matches.

Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary of the NFF, conveyed the Federation’s empathy for the affected teams and called on security agents to devise additional means of ensuring the safety of road users. The safety and well-being of players, officials, and other road travelers are of utmost importance, and the NFF’s appeal underscores the gravity of the situation.

It is hoped that authorities will take swift action to address the security challenges faced by football clubs and other road users, ensuring that necessary measures are put in place to prevent such incidents in the future. The NFF’s statement reflects a commitment to the safety and security of the football community in Nigeria.

“The NFF is seriously disturbed and disillusioned by this unwarranted trend. First, it was FC One Rocket of Abat, Akwa Ibom State that was attacked. Their players and officials lost a variety of valuables in the attack in Ihiala, Anambra State while on their way from an NNL match against Ikorodu City in Lagos.

“Only on Thursday, 7th December, 2023, players and officials of Sunshine Stars of Akure were attacked on the Ore-Benin Road by armed robbers, with the ball boy shot. This is worrisome and we are passionately appealing to security personnel to painstakingly work out new ways and methods of ensuring safety and security of lives and properties on our roads.”

Sanusi empathised with the players, coaches and Management of the two Clubs on the unfortunate incident and urged them not to allow the incidents to dampen their morale or negatively affect their challenge for titles in the ongoing season.

“On behalf of the Nigeria Football fraternity, we convey our sympathies to the two teams on the unfortunate attacks and trust that they will not be psychologically dampened in their quest for honours this football season.”