Inspector General of Police Idris
AGENE GODWIN, Benin
Gombe United defender Uzama Douglas was shot dead in Benin City by cultists on Thursday.
A close friend of the former Golden Eaglets and a Flying Eagles invitee said that the left back was shot in the state’s capital city, Benin.
“He was still on break in Benin City and was yet to resume for the new season,” the close pal said.
“He went out with friends when some cult boys carried out an attack on them. He was shot and that was it.
“The killers fled and left my friend in cold blood,” the emotional friend stated.
A top official at Gombe United said the club was shocked after Uzama was shot and killed by the cultists.
“The Gombe United family has learned with sadness of the untimely death of our defender Uzama Douglas.
“This is a sad loss to Uzama’s family, Gombe United and the nation,” the official said.
A call was placed across to Kennedy Obiokor, Uzama’s room mate, and he reacted to the news thus:
“I am beyond devastated at the loss of my room mate Uzama Douglas. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this terrible time,” he said sadly.
Gombe United are planning to put out an official press statement regarding Uzama’s death.
The death of Uzama is the second tragedy to hit the domestic football scene in the last three months after Shooting Stars central defender Izu Joseph was shot dead in Port Harcourt.
National Association of Nigerian Professional Footballers NANPF which spoke through their secretary general, Austin Popo, said they received with rude shock the news of the death of Uzama Douglas of Gombe United FC who was shot dead in Benin.
The union commiserated with the family of Uzama Douglas and prayed God to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“May his soul rest in peace. Meanwhile the Edo State Council of the Players Union have been mandated to furnish the National secretariat with details of the circumstances that led to Douglas’ death and advice on further development.”
Also a statement from Gombe United Football Club said they received with shock the news of the brutal murder of Douglas Uzama in Benin City. Douglas has been a dedicated player with our club and we feel pained by his demise and the circumstances that led to his untimely death. The rate of killings of innocent souls in Nigeria is reaching an alarming stage. We mourn the untimely and grim murder of Douglas Uzama.
“Douglas Uzama was a promising young footballer, he has played for the National team at the Under-17 and Under-20 categories. He nursed the dream of playing at the very top. For some thugs to brutally take his life at this stage of his career means the life of an ordinary Nigerian is at risk day in day out. It also speaks a lot about the spate of insecurity within us.
“Our thoughts and condolences go to the family of the deceased. May the Almighty give them the fortitude to bear this monumental tragedy. Condolences also go to his team mates, in particular, and the entire nation’s football family, in general. As we comprehend this loss, our prayers should go to the bereaved family.
“We are hereby calling on the security forces to hunt for Douglas Uzama’s murderers and bring them to book. They should be made to pay for this dastardly act and shall never be allowed to go scot free. The entire landscape in Nigeria has been blighted by the endemic twin evil of crime and violence. These need to be curtailed, the bloody killers of Douglas Uzama must be apprehended.
