The
father of Former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles defender, Douglas
Uzama has narrated how his son was brutally murdered by cultist.
Former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles defender, Douglas Uzama
The circumstance that led to the death of former Golden Eaglets and
Flying Eagles defender, Douglas Uzama who was brutally murdered by
suspected cultists on Thursday in Sakponba area of Edo state.
Revealing details of the incident, the father of the 18-year-old
Gombe United defender said the cultists tricked his son away from home
and killed him at a nearby bar in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Uzoma was a left-back was a member of the 2015 Golden Eaglets team
before his death. He played in the qualifiers for the 2015 CAF U-17
Africa Cup of Nations in Niger, but did not make the final squads to the
tournament and the Chile 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where Nigeria won
their fifth title.
According to the father, Uzama, who is the last child of his
family, was expected to travel on January 10, 2017, to sign a deal with a
club in Argentina before he met his untimely death.
The late footballer’s father, Jacob Uzama, said he had left home on
Thursday evening to their family house, only to be told 20 minutes
later that Douglas had been shot dead.
Jacob said his son went out from their 14, Apostolic Street, Off
Sakponba Road, after receiving a phone call from some friends. But the
retired army personnel said on getting to a nearby bar to join his
friends, two boys came in and shot Uzama at the back of his neck.
It was learnt that the footballer died instantly, as the same boys went further to kill two other people on the same street.
“I was not at home when the incident happened but I was told
that Douglas’ friends called him on phone and he went to meet them. When
I got there, I met he was shot at the back of his head. His brother
rushed him to Central Hospital but Douglas was dead before he got to
hospital. We have deposited his corpse at a mortuary. We’ve also
reported the matter to the police but we’ve not heard from them yet,” Jacob stated.
However, when the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu,
was contacted on the issue, he said the state police command was unaware
of Uzama’s death.
“I don’t have any information about the killing of any
footballer but the Edo State Police Command has been arresting suspected
cultists over clashes in the Sakponba area of Benin City recently,” Gwandu said.
According to an eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity for fear of being
attacked by the cultists, the attack on the Edo State-born player was
planned.
“Sakponba is notorious for the activities of cultists. It was a
well-planned attack on Douglas. It’s a cult-related incident but
whether he was a cultist or they used him to get back at somebody else
is what we don’t know.”
It’s the second time a Premier League player would be killed in
2016. Shooting Stars’ defender Izu Joseph was reportedly shot dead by
soldiers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in October while also on
holiday.
In 2009, Bayelsa United captain, Abiel Tabor, was shot dead hours
after leading his club to the league title. Tabor was driving home after
Bayelsa’s league triumph when he was stopped and shot in the head by
suspected armed robbers as he tried to get away from the gunmen.
Also in 2009, two defunct Ocean Boys players, Eniye Dennis and
UbotoOchokoma, were shot dead in their home by suspected cultists, while
sleeping.
Earlier, Igeniwari George, the younger brother of Nigeria legend
Finidi George, died on September 9, 1995, from gunshot wounds during a
Federation Cup match between his club Enugu Rangers and Stationery
Stores at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.
In a statement signed by Tosin Akinde, Secretary, Edo State Council
of the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers, the
players union said, “Douglas is a dedicated player and his untimely
death has thrown the entire football community in Benin into shock. The
rate of killings of innocent footballers at their prime in Nigeria has
reached an alarming stage and the union must seek justice this time
around.
“Izu’s case is still fresh and we are yet to recover from the
shock. Now we are mourning a promising young footballer, who has played
for the national teams at the U-17 and U-20 categories.”
His club Gombe United lamented the loss of the young defender.
The rate of killings of innocent souls in Nigeria is reaching an
alarming stage; we mourn the untimely and grim murder of Douglas Uzama.
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 every day.
“We call 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 club said in a statement.
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