Three members of a SuperSport crew were killed in a shocking ambush while on their way to cover a crucial football match in Nigeria.
The incident took place on Tuesday along the Ihiala-Orlu Road in Anambra State.
The crew was traveling from Lagos to Uyo to broadcast the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match between Nigeria and Libya.
The Super Eagles had won the match on October 11, but the victory was overshadowed by this tragic event.
Eyewitness reports indicate that armed bandits opened fire on the bus carrying the crew and security personnel.
Among the dead were a cameraman, a police officer, and the bus driver.
There were 14 people in the vehicle at the time of the attack.
Of those, eight were rescued, two escaped, three were killed, and one person remains unaccounted for.
Musa Gusau, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
He issued a statement offering condolences to the families of the victims.
Gusau praised SuperSport for its dedication to Nigerian football.
He acknowledged the organization’s significant role in bringing joy to fans across the country.
“Yes, we won the match against Libya and took three points,” Gusau said.
“But the fact that three lives were lost created a situation in which we were unable to celebrate properly, and it hurts seriously to even think back at the unfortunate incident.”
The NFF has a long-standing partnership with SuperSport.
The broadcaster has been instrumental in promoting football in Nigeria and providing coverage of important matches.
Gusau also called for prayers for the safe return of the one person who is still missing.
“We share in their pain and sorrow at this period,” he said.
“Our prayer is that the Almighty will comfort the SuperSport family and the families of the deceased.”
He added that he hopes for the safe return of the unaccounted person so that he can reunite with his family.
The security forces were praised for their efforts during the aftermath of the incident.
While the details of the ambush remain under investigation, it highlights the ongoing issue of insecurity in Nigeria.
Kidnappings for ransom have become increasingly common in various parts of the country.
The Nigerian government has been criticized for its failure to effectively tackle this growing problem.
SuperSport has yet to release an official statement regarding the deaths of its crew members.
Founded in 1988, SuperSport is a well-known sports broadcaster based in South Africa.
The company broadcasts a wide range of sports, including football, rugby, cricket, and more.
Over the years, it has built a reputation for delivering top-quality coverage of major sporting events.
