Sunshine Stars staff attacked by gunmen dies in Benin

Sunshine Stars FC, the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) side, have announced the death of Taiwo Dosunmu, the club’s assistant kit manager.

Sunshine Stars were on their way to honour their NPFL week 13 fixture against Bendel Insurance FC of Benin when the team bus was attacked by gunmen on December 7.

The staff members and players who suffered injuries were moved to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where Dosunmu lost his life despite several surgeries.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Akure-based club disclosed that Dosunmu succumbed to injuries sustained during the bus attack on the team on the Benin-Ore expressway on Friday.

Gone too soon !

With lot of pains in our hearts, we announce the untimely transition to eternity of our dear brother and Assistant Kit Manager, Taiwo Dosunmu, who died in line of duty by the bullets of armed bandit along Benin-Ore expressway on Thursday, December 7, 2023. pic.twitter.com/voBRe6d0oe

— Sunshine Stars FC (@SunshineFCAkure) December 23, 2023

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“Gone too soon!,” the statement reads. “With lot of pains in our hearts, we announce the untimely transition to eternity of our dear brother and Assistant Kit Manager, Taiwo Dosunmu, who died in line of duty by the bullets of armed bandit along Benin-Ore expressway on Thursday, December 7, 2023.

“Taiwo died at the Intensive Care Unit of University of Benin Teaching Hospital on Friday, December 22, 2023 after series of surgeries by consultants at the facility.

“Taiwo Dosunmu was a very hard working individual who took his job with all sense of seriousness.”

In a social media tribute, Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, commiserated with the club over the death of  Dosunmu.

Obaseki said he was shocked to learn of Dosunmu’s demise “after doctors at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) had fought tirelessly to save his life”.

Obaseki mourns passing of Sunshine Star Assistant Kit Manager, Dosunmu

I received with rude shock the news of the passing of Sunshine Stars Football Club Assistant Kit Manager, Taiwo Dosunmu.

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It is most disheartening to learn of this development after doctors at the University…

— Godwin Obaseki (GGO) (@GovernorObaseki) December 23, 2023

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“I received with rude shock the news of the passing of Sunshine Stars Football Club Assistant Kit Manager, Taiwo Dosunmu,” he wrote.

“It is most disheartening to learn of this development after doctors at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) had fought tirelessly to save his life.

“I commiserate with the management of Sunshine Stars Football Club, the fans and the Dosunmu family over this regrettable loss and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

Sunshine Stars are currently 13th in the NPFL table, with 18 points from 15 matches.