Emmanuel Umunna: Armed robbers kill Nigerian footballer in Uyo
Emmanuel Umunna, a footballer who played for a local club in Akwa Ibom State, has died after being shot by suspected armed robbers.
His death occurred following an armed robbery in Uyo on Wednesday night. Reports say one other person was killed by armed men who raided business owners in the state capital.
Unconfirmed reports say Umunna called a local help line to alert the authorities to the robbery but the line operator responded with the words “end SARS”.
The alleged reponse was an apparent allusion to recent widespread demonstrations against now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police.
The unit was dissolved following massive protests against unending instances of police brutality, extortion, illegal arrest and extra-judicial killings.
“Whoever gave Umunna the ‘end SARS’ response could have done so to mock him for supporting the EndSARS movement, if he did,” a resident told The Realm News.
Law enforcement apathy trails the protests, with the authorities blaming the dip in police morale on demonstrators.
Confine Football Club confirmed the death of Umunna in a statement on Thursday.
The statement reads:
We received with Rude Shock news of the Passing away of our Midfielder Emmanuel Umunna who was allegedly shot dead by Hoodlums yesterday 9th December 2020.
As a Club, We are confident in the ability of Security agencies to Properly investigate and bring to book pepetrators of this Heinous crime which has cut short Emmanuel’s promising Career and brought pain and grief to Family, Friends , Cofine fc and everyone who came across The Deceased.
May the Soul of the Departed rest in Perfect Peace and May God grant us the Fortitude to Bear this loss. Amen.
– Media Unit, Cofine Football Club.
10/12/2020
