The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Sunshine Stars Football Club are mourning the loss of their assistant kit manager, Taiwo Dosunmu, who passed away on Friday after suffering gunshot wounds during a robbery attack earlier this month.
Dosunmu was struck by a bullet when the Sunshine Stars team bus was ambushed by armed robbers on their way to a league match in Benin City on December 7th. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, he tragically succumbed to his injuries.
NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, expressed deep sadness at the news, stating, “This is a very sad development…We are deeply saddened by Dosunmu’s death.” He commended the swift response of the Edo State government following the attack but emphasized the profound loss felt by the football community.
Sunshine Stars, in a statement, described Dosunmu as “a very hard-working individual who took his job with all sense of seriousness.” They expressed their condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, highlighting the immense void his passing leaves within the club.
The team Media Officer, Micheal Akintunde, while confirming the passing of Dosunmu in a statement on Saturday in Akure, said he died at the Intensive Care Unit of University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
The statement appreciated the Governments of Edo and Ondo for their support towards saving Dosunmu’s life.
“With lot of pains in our hearts, we announce the untimely transition to eternity of our dear brother and Assistant Kit Manager, Taiwo Dosunmu, who died in line of duty by the bullets of armed bandit along Benin-Ore expressway on Thursday, Dec. 7
“Taiwo died at the Intensive Care Unit of University of Benin Teaching Hospital on Friday, Dec. 22, after series of surgeries by consultants at the facility.
“Taiwo Dosunmu was a very hard working individual who took his job with all sense of seriousness.
“His selflessness at the moment of the attack saved the lives of players and other members of Sunshine Stars management. He will be sorely missed.
“Special thanks to the governments of Ondo and Edo States as well as the entire football family in Nigeria and many others for the supports rendered during the spell of the unfortunate incident.
“Burial arrangements of the departed will be communicated as authorised by the family,” the statement read.