Tension has gripped Lobi Stars Football Club fans following an attack on the team’s players during a training session at the Government Model Secondary School Pitch in Makurdi, Benue State.
Reports circulating on social media suggest that the attackers were allegedly sent by the club’s management to punish players and staff over alleged match-fixing, particularly in the game between Lobi Stars and Abia Warriors. Others claim the assailants were cult members or angry supporters frustrated by the team’s poor performance this season.
Eyewitness Account
A witness, identified only as Haruna, recounted arriving at the training ground just as the thugs began assaulting the players.
“They were beating them and even threatened to chase some of them out of Makurdi,” he said.
According to him, some players were locked inside the team bus with the windows shut for 30 minutes as a form of punishment.
Club Management Denies Involvement
Reacting to the incident, Lobi Stars FC Media Director, Emmanuel Uja, dismissed claims that the club’s management orchestrated the attack.
“The reports alleging the club sent thugs to attack its own players and staff are completely false,” he stated.
The club has not yet disclosed whether an official investigation will be launched into the attack.
