The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ondo state chapter, has sympathised with Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure who were attacked by gunmen Thursday while on their way to Edo state to honour this weekend’s NPFL fixture with Bendel Insurance.
The Association in a statement by its chairman, Segun Giwa and secretary, Joseph Adesuyan, said the incident was “tragic and barbaric.”
Blueprint reports that the team was attacked on Benin/Ore expressway Thursday, leaving some officials with gunshot wounds and others with varying degrees of injury.
While SWAN called on security agencies to swing into action and arrest the perpetrators of the “dastardly act and bring them to justice,” it wished the injured officials and players speedy recoveries.
Meanwhile, the state government expressed appreciation to God that no life was lost in the attack.
A statement by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Bamidele Ologunloluwa, in Akure, said he had been monitoring events since the incident on Thursday, especially the gunshot victims.
Ologunloluwa said the state government urged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.
“We want to use this opportunity to thank God that no life was lost in the incident and that those who sustained gunshot injuries are safe and are now in Benin despite the incident.
“We urge teeming supporters and followers of Sunshine Stars and Nigerians to continue praying for all those who sustained injuries in the attack and rest assured that the state government is on top of the situation,” the statement read in part.
