Akwa Ibom kick boxer Alexander Joseph, nick named “Ibom”, has been killed by gunmen.
According
to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ibom was attacked by his
assailants at about 9.30 am on Saturday at Uyo Township Stadium during a
training session.
Witnesses told NAN that the no fewer than five
persons had trailed the victim to the stadium and inflicted several
machete cuts on him before firing three gunshots on his neck.
Some
athletes, who trained with Ibom the previous day, said that the
deceased was in top form for 2012 National Sports Festival scheduled to
hold in Lagos later this year.
The athletes described the murder of Ibom as terrifying, adding that he attempted to resist the assassins.
Onyeka
Orji, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the
incident and said that the police had made some arrests,
while investigation continues.
Aniedi Dickson, the State Director
of Sports, told NAN that the deceased was a strong boy. “It is quite
unfortunate, he was our medal hopeful, he is a very strong boy, and his
death may dampen the moral of our boys.“We organise trial for them every
quarter in the last trial two weeks ago he was very strong, he was
excellent,” Dickson said.Dickson, who said that he was yet to be briefed
by victim’s coach, said that the demise of the boxer was painful.
Ibom won a bronze medal for Akwa Ibom in the 2009 National Sports Festival hosted by Kaduna state.
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