Shooting Stars of Ibadan defender, Izu Joseph, was allegedly shot and killed by military operatives in his hometown, Okaki in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State on Sunday, his father, Mr. Reuben Izu has disclosed.

Reuben Izu, according to reports, revealed that his son who was on holiday in the border town between Rivers and Bayelsa states, was allegedly shot down by some military men as he was coming from having his bath at a riverside in the town.

“Eye witnesses at the scene narrated to me how he was killed and it is very painful for me as his father,” said a tearful Reuben, according to online news portal,

“He is a professional footballer who just ended the season and he decided to spend some time with his wife and daughter in the village.

“As it is usual in the village, he went to take his bath in the jetty which is a common place to go in the village to have a bath.

“As he was taking his bath and wanting to come out he heard gunshots and began to run like every other person there.”

The story continues that Joseph Izu, ran into a soldier who allegedly shot him before he could explain anything.

“As he fell to the ground, he cried out to the soldier that he was not a criminal but a professional football, even showing him an Identity card that he had in his wallet, but the soldier shot at him again, the report claimed.

“What bothered me the most was that my son was treated like a criminal. If he had committed any crime, wouldn’t he have been caught and arrested all the while he was at Shooting Stars playing?

Mr Izu further said that the soldiers at the scene used his sons phone to make a video of him battling with his life before they pushed him back into the river and then they left the scene.

He reportedly swam out and was rushed to the nearest hospital where unsuccessful efforts were made to remove the bullets. He died on his way to a bigger hospital in Yenagoa.

“What I want to know is the crime my son committed? Why would they kill him like that? Rueben said.

“My son is a professional footballer and now he has been murdered,” Rueben Izu said.

“He was the bread winner of the family. Losing him means we have lost an economic pillar. It is a sad moment in our lives.”

Izu Joseph, a regular with Shooting Stars Sports Club in the just-ended Nigeria Professional Football League season, and who helped the Oluyole Warriors retain the Premiership status.

He had previously played for Bayelsa United and Unicem Rovers.

He was also part of the Beach Football team in last year’s Copa Lagos.

•Source: The AUTHORITY. Photo shows late Izu Joseph.

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