Footballer killed as fans disrupt tournament final in Ebonyi

A football player was on Thursday killed in a fracas involving police officers in the Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi.

Several people were injured during the melee. The police were said to have attempted to prevent irate fans from attacking match officials.

ASP Loveth Odaa, the command public relations officer (PPRO), confirmed the incident in an interview with NAN.

“The Ikwo Police Division received a distress call that the fans were assaulting the referee and our officers led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) rushed to the match venue,” he said.

“When they tried to rescue the referee from the fans’ onslaught, the fans left the referee and started attacking our officers.

“They started struggling with officers’ rifles and when they collected one, the DPO fired into the air to scare them and save his officers.

“One person was incidentally shot during the melee as the fans thoroughly prepared to attack us by arming themselves with dangerous weapons.”

She said the council’s chairman and the state governor’s aide on internal security have met with the commissioner of police and promised to discuss with the Ikwo stakeholders to restore normalcy.

“One of the wounded police officers is an inspector and he just regained consciousness while other officers are still in critical condition.

“All we receive every time these government officials intervene are apologies as we have certainly been attacked by people of Ikwo LGA.

“The people should inform the police to withdraw its services if they don’t need us again, to enable us re-post our officers to areas where we are needed,” she said.

According to NAN, a source revealed that the deceased, Obinna Igwe, was shot by a police officer during the fracas.

“The football match was between Ndufu Alike and Ndufu Echara teams, competing in the final of a Unity Cup competition, organised by the council’s boss, John Nnabo, at Urban Secondary School Ndufu Echara.

“Trouble started when the centre referee issued a red card to an Ndufu Alike player, which eventually resulted in his team conceding a goal in the second half.

“The Ndufu Alike team and its fans were displeased with the development as the dismissed player surged towards the referee and attacked him, joined by his team-mates and fans.”

Efforts made by NAN to speak with the council boss proved abortive.