THE Edo state Police command has been silent over gunmen’s attack on a Nigeria Premier League Football (NPFL) club side, Sunshine Stars of Akure, Ondo state.

The ICIR reported how the club was attacked by gunmen on Thursday, December 7, along Ore-Benin Expressway, Edo state, on its way to honour its match day 13 fixture against Bendel Insurance of Benin.

According to the club’s media officer, Michael Akintunde, in a press statement he signed and mailed to journalists, one of the club’s ball boys was shot while others were injured.

He said it took the intervention of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers to rescue the club’s injured officials and players to a nearby hospital.

“It saddens our hearts to inform Nigerians, especially football lovers, that our team was attacked a few minutes ago along Ore-Benin Expressway to honour an Elite League tie, against Insurance of Benin, scheduled for this weekend.

“Our ball boy was shot in the horrible attack. Our team manager and other club officials, including players,, are seriously injured,” the statement read.

Although the club’s players and officials received support from the Edo state’s Governor Godwin Obaseki, who offered to clear the bill for the medical treatment of all those involved in the unfortunate incident, the state Police command has not reacted to the attack on the team.

On the day the attack took place, The ICIR contacted the state Police command public relations officer, Chidi Nwabuze, a superintendent of Police. He said he was not aware of the incident.

“My friend. I am far away from Abuja on an official assignment. But I have not seen or heard of such a report. You said Ore-Benin Road, perhaps, is not within our jurisdiction. Thank you,” he responded via SMS.

The following day, after the news went viral, The ICIR contacted the PPRO via text to confirm if the Police had received the attack details and what action they had taken.

As of the time of filing this report on Sunday, December 10, he had yet to respond to the incident.