Members of the Benue Buffalos Handball Team are recounting a frightening and traumatic experience after they were attacked by armed men on Otukpo Road in the early hours of Thursday, December 7, 2025. The team was on its way back from the Ardova Premier Handball League in Lagos when their official bus ran into a group of gunmen who opened fire into the air and forced the driver to stop.
According to one of the players, who spoke both as a victim and eyewitness, the situation became violent almost immediately.
“When our driver opened the door, one of them stabbed him in the leg,” he said. “They made all of us lie on the ground, searched us one after the other, and then marched us toward the bush. Everyone feared the worst.”
The attackers were armed with guns and machetes, and made away with several personal belongings including phones, cash, sports kits, jerseys, canvases, and a JBL speaker. Some of the stolen mobile phones reportedly contain sensitive information belonging to both players and staff.
The robbery was still ongoing when Nigerian Army personnel arrived at the scene. Their intervention caused the attackers to flee into the nearby bush, taking the stolen items with them.
“If the soldiers hadn’t shown up when they did, we don’t know what could have happened,” the player added. “But it was dark and the area was so bushy that the robbers escaped quickly.”Shaken by the ordeal, the Benue Buffalos are calling on the government and security agencies to launch a full investigation.
“We represent Benue State at national tournaments,” a team member said. “We shouldn’t have to go through such horror just trying to return home. We are begging for justice and help in recovering what we lost.”Many of the affected players are staff of the Benue State Sports Council, students, civil servants, and even a serving corps member. They say the experience has left them emotionally drained and financially distressed.
The team also highlighted long-standing concerns about the state of their official bus. Although it is a 14-seater vehicle, it carried 18 people and is described as old and rickety.
“When the attack happened, some of us tried to escape but the door couldn’t open properly,” a player said. “If we had a better bus, maybe things wouldn’t have been this bad. We’ve been managing unsafe transport conditions for too long.”
The players expressed gratitude to those willing to help share their story and called on authorities responsible for sports development and athlete welfare to take immediate action.
“We don’t normally speak out,” their spokesperson said. “We’ve been suffering in silence. Athletes especially those outside football deserve better treatment and safer conditions.”
As of the time of this report, authorities have not released an official statement regarding the incident.
