The El-Kanemi Warriors, a team from the Nigeria Premier Football League, recently endured a traumatic experience when their players and officials were attacked by armed robbers while traveling back to Maiduguri from a match against Ikorodu City. This incident, which occurred on the Jos-Bauchi road, left around eight players injured and resulted in stolen valuables. Players expressed their concerns regarding the dangerous travel conditions they face and suggested that the robbery incident could have been avoided had they opted for air travel or better team transport vehicles. One anonymous survivor emphasized the need for improved policies regarding travel safety for sports teams, highlighting the unfortunate conditions forced upon them.
The conditions on the road were exacerbated when the team bus broke down in Jos. As a result, management was forced to hire two replacement buses, and the vehicle in front was the one that came under attack. Witnesses described a harrowing scene filled with gunshots and chaos. Frustration over this incident was palpable among the players, who pointed out that better transportation could have potentially prevented the incident. The survivor noted, “If the team bus is better as it should have been, we would not have been involved in that incident.” Players collectively called upon the government to address the urgent need for player and staff safety during travel.
Another player reflected on the challenges they face regarding long travel times in the league, indicating that their journey back home feels more like a punishment than sport. They explained that the team had to sacrifice their usual hotel accommodations en route in order to arrive in Maiduguri for their next match, which impacts player performance negatively. The player criticized the current travel logistics, revealing that the timing and distances of their fixtures require excessive time on the road. This concern was further intensified when comparing their travel conditions to those of competing teams, illustrating an inequitable advantage for teams that utilize air travel instead.
Despite the trauma of the robbery, the El-Kanemi Warriors managed to gather enough players for their subsequent match against Bayelsa United. The match concluded in a goalless draw, showcasing the resilience of the players even after suffering such an ordeal. The club’s secretary, Bura Mustapha, was approached for comment regarding the state government’s plans to support the players or improve their travel conditions, but he deferred to the media officer for a more comprehensive response. This lack of immediate support or public plan from the management to address the players’ safety raised further concerns about their welfare.
Reflecting on their past travels, the Warriors’ experience is not an isolated incident. Earlier in June, the team faced a similarly arduous journey when they had to spend three days traveling from Lagos to Maiduguri after winning the President Federation Cup. Such grueling travel regimes have become common for the team, underscoring the need for a reassessment of their logistical operations to prevent future risks to player safety.
Looking ahead, the El-Kanemi Warriors are scheduled for back-to-back matches that will again require extensive travel. With a fixture against Remo Stars scheduled for December 8 in Ikenne and Sunshine Stars two weeks later in Ijebu Ode, followed by a home game against Abia Warriors on December 15, the prospects of long, arduous journeys loom large. The players and management continue to call for improvements to travel conditions in hopes of ensuring their safety and well-being in future games, underscoring the critical need for systemic changes within the Nigeria Premier Football League.
