Armed Robbery Attack: Thank God we don't lose anyone- Okey Emordi

Tomiwa Babalola

Kano Pillars coach, Okey Emordi has expressed happiness that no life was lost in the when his side were attacked en-route to Owerri by armed robbers on Thursday as they begin their title defense in the league opening game with Heartland.

A-25 man delegation left Kano in a 32-seater Coaster bus which includes 18 players alongside a four-man technical crew led by coach Emordi in another Peugeot car.

Emordi said that regardless of all they took away, the most important was no life was taken away because his players' lives are worth more than the valuables.

 "As they were shooting and still requesting for money, we were throwing money at them to help reduce the attack. They made away with our money. We received injuries. But as I say, thanks be to Almighty God that no one died," Emordi told media in Lokoja.

"It is a common phenomenon. If you look at security generally in the country, I'm not going to condemn our law enforcement officers because they are trying their best but they cannot be everywhere.

“So they need some of us to scout out these criminals and let them know where they are hiding so that they can go and fetch them out.”

Reuben Ogbonnaya , one of the injured players, lamented the injury suffered from the attack but was thankful at surviving the incident.

"It's terrible. I'm in pains but thank God for saving our lives that none of us died. Only God saved us," Ogbonnaya told Goal.

"We, on behalf of the Kogi State FA, condole with the players and officials of Kano Pillars. The attack is unfortunate and unacceptable. We use this medium to call upon the state police command to do everything in its power to ensure the perpetrators won't go scout free," Ogunmola said.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the Kogi state Football association led by its secretary, Augustine Ogunmola also gave thanks to God that though the players were injured, none of them is dead, and the League Management Company has also postponed the Pillars-Heartland game until further notice.