Journalists Ambushed: Cameraman, policeman, driver killed, one still missing

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed sorrow over the killing of three individuals in a tragic ambush by kidnappers along the Ihiala-Orlu Road in Anambra State on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

The victims, a cameraman, a police officer, and a bus driver, were travelling with a SuperSport crew when the attackers opened fire on their vehicle, resulting in immediate fatalities.

The SuperSport team was en route to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to cover the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Libya when the ambush occurred.

In a statement issued on Saturday titled: ‘NFF Sympathises with Families of Slain Persons in SuperSport Unfortunate Kidnap Situation’, the federation confirmed the deaths and extended condolences to the victims’ families.

“SuperSport has been a strong ally in helping to fulfil the objective of the NFF in spreading joy to Nigerians through football. We share in their pain and sorrow at this period,” NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said. “Our prayer is that the Almighty will comfort the SuperSport family and the families of the deceased and grant the deceased eternal rest.”

Gusau reflected on the sombre mood, saying, “Yes, we won the match against Libya and took three points, but the fact that three lives were lost created a situation in which we were unable to celebrate properly, and it hurts seriously to even think back at the unfortunate incident.”

According to the NFF, 14 people were on the bus at the time of the attack. Eight were rescued, two escaped, three were killed, and one person remains missing.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command confirmed that joint security forces have rescued six of the abducted journalists. The group had been kidnapped along the Isseke-Orlu Road on Wednesday, October 9.

State Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga stated, “Efforts are still ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining missing crew member.”

SuperSport has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the incident.