Lobi Stars FC, a prominent team in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), was rocked by an alarming incident when players and officials were attacked during a training session at a school pitch in Makurdi. The assault has raised concerns about the safety of athletes amid growing tensions with fans frustrated by the team’s recent performance in the league.
Early reports claimed that Lobi Stars forward Onyekachi Okafor had spoken out about the incident, allegedly saying, “I was also beaten by the thugs; there was no safety for the players.” However, the veteran striker has since denied making those remarks, asserting that they were incorrectly attributed to him.
In a statement addressing the situation, Okafor called for unity and teamwork to turn around the club’s fortunes. “The lingering tension from the fans’ confrontation was a way of showing their displeasure over our recent results in the league,” he said. “Let us all put hands on deck to ensure we work as a collective group to steer the ship of this magnificent club from sinking.”
Okafor expressed his personal commitment to the team’s survival in the NPFL, vowing to give his all in the upcoming President Federation Cup Round of 32 match against Solution FC in Aba. “As a player and a veteran of the league, I’m ready to spill blood and make this team maintain their NPFL status,” he declared. “Lobi Stars’ survival is key.”
The incident has spotlighted the challenges facing the club as it navigates both on-field struggles and off-field unrest.