Palpable fear gripped the fans of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi following the attack and beating of players during training at the Government Model Secondary School Pitch in Makurdi, Benue State capital.
Netizens on the social media accused the management of the club of sending some hoodlums to beat up their players and staff for allegedly conniving and selling matches, especially between Lobi Stars and Abia Warriors.
While others alleged that the attackers were cult members whose motive for the attack was yet to be ascertained, others said the attackers may be angry supporters of the club.
However, our correspondent gathered while speaking with residents, that the attack might be arise from angry fans following the abysmal performance of the club this season.
An eyewitness who simply identified himself as Haruna, said he was arriving to watch the training when he saw the hoodlums beating up the players and further threatened to ensure that some of them leave Makurdi immediately.
According to him, some of the players were beaten and locked in the team bus with the windows closed for 30 minutes to punish them for the abysmal performance of the team.
However, reacting to the incident and rumoured sponsorship of the attack by the management, Media Director to Lobi Stars FC, Emmanuel Uja, in a statement debunked the reports, distancing the club’s management from sending thugs to attack its own players and staff during training session.
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