Nigerian football club El-Kanemi Warriors faced a harrowing ordeal late Saturday night when armed robbers ambushed their convoy in Rijiyar Malam village, along the Jos-Bauchi road in Bauchi State.
The attack occurred at approximately 12:45 a.m. as the team was en route to Maiduguri for a league match. The assailants fired gunshots to halt the team’s buses and a companion vehicle, injuring several players and officials in the process.
Suleiman Abdullahi, Personal Assistant to the team’s Technical Adviser, described the terrifying incident, noting the chaos and fear among the team members during the ambush.
While the extent of injuries sustained is yet to be fully disclosed, the incident highlights ongoing security challenges faced by travelers on Nigerian highways.
“They fired sporadically, stopped the buses and a saloon car, and ordered all the occupants out,” Abdullahi said. “They attacked us with machetes and sticks, robbing us of money, handsets, and other valuables. Over 10 players and officials sustained injuries during the attack.”
Following the assault, the injured were rushed to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital in Bauchi for treatment.
The incident was later reported to the GRA Police Station in Bauchi before the team resumed their journey to Maiduguri.
Bauchi Police Command spokesman, SP Ahmed Wakil, confirmed the incident, noting that the club’s Secretary, Dahiru Bala, had officially reported the attack.
“Our tactical team has been directed by the Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa Muhammad, to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators,” Wakil said.
He added that the command’s Rescue Me app is available to assist victims in tracking their stolen phones and other valuables.
Authorities have assured the public that investigations are ongoing to bring the attackers to justice.
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