The Assistant Kit Manager of Sunshine Stars of Akure, Taiwo Dosunmu, shot during an attack on the team’s bus by suspected gunmen along the Benin-Ore expressway, is dead.

Sunshine Stars were on their way to Benin City on December 7 to honour the Nigeria Premier Football League match-day 13 game against Bendel Insurance when the incident occurred.

The team media officer, Michael Akintunde, while confirming the passing of Mr Dosunmu in a statement on Saturday in Akure, said he died at the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

The statement appreciated the governments of Edo and Ondo states for their support in saving Mr Dosunmu’s life.

“With a lot of pain in our hearts, we announce the untimely transition to eternity of our dear brother and Assistant Kit Manager, Taiwo Dosunmu, who died in the line of duty by the bullets of armed bandits along the Benin-Ore expressway on Thursday, December 7.

“Taiwo died at the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital on Friday, December 22, after a series of surgeries by consultants at the facility.

“Taiwo Dosunmu was a 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 support rendered during the spell of the unfortunate incident. Burial arrangements for the departed will be communicated as authorised by the family,” the statement read.

(NAN)