Minister, NFF chiefs, footballers mourn Abubakar; police vow to get killers

Nigerian football community was thrown into mourning on Wednesday with the killing of the Head of Protocol of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Abubakar.
He was shot dead in his Abuja residence in the early hours of the day.
Survived by his wife and three children, Super Eagles Media Officer, Oluwatoyin Ibitoye, said the killing of the 43-year-old football administrator was “shocking, devastating and tragic.”
Abubakar was at home when burglars broke in and opened fire.
He was later buried in Kaduna.
An NFF statement reads: “The Nigeria Football Federation family woke up Wednesday with the sad news of the sudden death of its Head of Protocol, Ibrahim Abubakar.
“Abubakar, 43, was brutally murdered in cold blood by dare-devil armed robbers in his home at Kado Estate, near Gwarinpa in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. added: “He was full of life when he left the office yesterday (Tuesday). The Federation has lost a dedicated and assiduous staff. This is so painful.”
The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wilson Inalegwu, vowed that the police would fish out the killers.
Inalegwu arrived at the house at 8.20am, and after inspecting the scene of the incident and the environment, said the police would do everything to nab those who took Abubakar’s life.
NFF officials, led by the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, accompanied the corpse from the National Hospital, Abuja to Kaduna where the remains were interred some minutes after noon.
NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, was devastated as he got the news on phone, and it took him several minutes to recover his voice.
Youth and Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, arrived the Glass House in company with the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Christian Ohaa.
Both men signed the condolence register.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Alhassan Yakmut, also sent a condolence message.
At the burial in Kaduna, Sanusi in company with a delegation that included Ademola Olajire (AD, Communications), Tunde Aderibigbe (SA to President), Dr. Christian Emeruwa (SA to GS), Okey Obi (Chief Legal Officer), Dr. Robinson Okosun, Nasiru Jibril (PA to President), Enebi Achor, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, Paul Okwudolor, Joshua Onoja, Aliyu Ibrahim and Magaji Abdullahi, met with the parents of the late Ibrahim and offered prayers for the repose of his soul.
There were also former NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu, Kaduna State FA chairman Abdulkadir Magaji, former NRA President, Ahmed Muade, and former Super Eagles’ captain, Garba Lawal.
From overseas came condolence messages from players of the Senior National Team, Super Eagles.
Eagles captain Ahmed Musa, former Captain Vincent Enyeama, defender Elderson Echiejile, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and forwards, Obafemi Martins and Odion Ighalo, sent in words of condolence.
At the NFF Abuja office, Dalung said: “We received the sad news this morning of the killing of Ibrahim Abubakar and I’m deeply shocked. We are moved that he had to meet his end in that gruesome manner. That adds weight to the level of criminality, high profile killings and insecurity that has characterised our society. It’s sad he departed at a time his services were most needed. It is a very sad news not only to us in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development but to the entire football family.”
Dalung also called on the need to beef up security in the country to protect innocent lives and property.
“This has opened a new page on our determination to get rid of criminals from our society. It may be too premature for us to say precisely or to determine what led to his killing, but it still tilts to the question of insecurity. We are calling on security agencies to step up security measures to protect lives and property of Nigerians. We sympathize with his family, the NFF and the football family. We pray that God will reward his good deeds by granting him eternal rest.”
NFF Assistant Secretary-General, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, thanked the minister for his prompt visit to commiserate with the Federation over the sad incident.
“On behalf of the board and management of the NFF, I want to sincerely appreciate the minister for coming to commiserate with us within the short notice with this high calibre delegation. We’ve noted the sentiments expressed concerning the need for security to overcome some of these criminal acts that are being observed in recent times. I left him in the office yesterday at about 6p.m so, I was shocked to hear this morning that he had been shot dead. I join members of the family of the deceased and other Nigerians to pray that God, in His infinite mercy, will grant the soul of the departed eternal peace”.