Izu Joseph Shot Near Cultists’ Haven
Shooting Stars defender, Izu Joseph was reportedly killed near a Cultists’ Shrine in Okaki, Bayelsa.
Commander, 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Brig. Gen. Hamisu Hassan disclosed this yesterday. He said the footballer was shot on Sunday by the JTF operatives on a “confidence building patrol” moved into a cultists’ hideout in Okaki village. He added that he was found was isolated.
“Information available to the patrolling troops indicated the presence of suspected cultists in Okaki village. The troops moved in and raided the suspected criminal hideout. One person lost his life at the hideout while several others fled”
“Later, it was confirmed that the person who lost his life was a Nigerian footballer, identified as Mr. Izu Joseph. Nevertheless, investigation is ongoing to determine what he was doing at the cultist’s shrine at that time.”
It was also learnt that Izu had pleaded with JTF operatives that he was a footballer before he was shot at close range.
Hassan however added that the Brigade would sustain the current tempo of the operations against cultists, kidnappers and other criminals to make Rivers State safe.
