I was addressing players when gunmen shot Dosunmu – Abe, Sunshine captain

Four months after gunmen attack on Sunshine Stars FC bus claimed the life of their assistant kit manager, Taiwo Dosunmu,  captain, Sunday Abe, in this interview with ABIODUN ADEWALE, recalls the horrific incident and more

 How would you describe the late Taiwo Dosunmu and his role at Sunshine Stars?

Taiwo was a good guy to us and was like a family to all players and staff. He was at Sunshine Stars for so many years and most players who had left the club were still fond of him. He was a very relentless and hardworking guy. Aside from his official role as a kits personnel, he was very helpful to the players, especially during training sessions. As a matter of fact, his style of making sure things got done was why he was referred to as the assistant kit manager, he was originally employed as a ball boy. He is someone we can’t forget.

Can you recall how the attack happened?

You know as humans, we pray for guidance as well as protection against evil, and also try to avoid them. For that trip, we were actually supposed to travel to Benin City through Owo, but because of the bad state of the road and the incessant kidnapping along that route, we opted for the Benin-Ore road. I remember I was addressing the players when the incident happened. We just saw a masked person come out with a gun and shot towards the driver. But the driver didn’t stop and the person retreated into the bush immediately. It was one person, but perhaps he had accomplices who didn’t come out. Taiwo was sitting beside the driver, and we noticed the bullet hit the door before it hit him from his side and came out through his back. His intestine was out as a result. After the vehicle stopped, we met some Federal Road Safety Corps officials who helped us take him to a nearby hospital where he was stitched. We proceeded to Benin and he was immediately admitted to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for further treatment. Till now, we didn’t see the bullet because it was not found in the bus.

How stable was he initially?

He was responding to treatment very well. We went to see him at the hospital and he spoke to us as well. We also donated blood and he had successful surgeries before we left Benin City. We were waiting for him to be discharged before we suddenly heard about his demise.

Is this the first time Sunshine Stars would be attacked since you started playing for the club?

Yes, it’s the first time our team will be attacked since I started playing for them. Almost all our trips in the league have been by road and this hadn’t happened to us before.

The incident brought to light the danger of travelling by road in the NPFL…

(Cuts in) It’s a matter of affordability and insecurity in the country as well. In the first instance, many teams cannot afford to travel by air. In the other instance, Benin City to Akure is a very motorable distance, it’s just sad that the security of the country in general is porous. So, as much as teams must ensure safe travelling, the government must secure the country as well.

Since he was buried, what are the efforts to bring succour to his family?

Immediately the incident happened, I mean when he was still at the hospital, I spoke to our bosses at Sunshine Stars about my intention to raise some money for him and even with the players union outside Ondo State. But for proximity, we involved mainly the players who were connected to him. And I told all the players at Sunshine that by the time he returned from the hospital, we would have to welcome him and hand him the money before the state government would also do its part. That was the plan we had to show him love and the money that was raised was kept with the secretary of the players union. We believed he would survive and we were waiting for his arrival until we suddenly heard about his demise. So, we just presented the money to the family and we were joined by two other members of the players union in Nigeria. Aside from giving them money, we met his elder sister and twin brother and sought what they intended to do so that we and the state could also support them.

What was the support like after Dosunmu was hospitalised?

The Edo State Government did a lot for us during that period and they took care of the hospital bills. Aside from that, they gave us money too and escorted us back home with security. Our state government also reacted quickly. We appreciate all the support from the NFF, the media and other teams in the NPFL as well. We didn’t feel alone throughout the period because the entire country stood by us.

Dosunmu and former Ondo Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, died in the same period. How did the club and the players respond on the field?

Honestly, before we lost former Governor Akeredolu that Wednesday morning, which was just a few hours to our game against Doma in Akure, we had made up our minds to win the game for Taiwo. We had prepared every tribute before the news of the former Governor also came in. So, that gave us one more reason to win and we won 2-0. Aside from that too, we needed the win as a team in order to keep the hopes of reaching our target alive. It was about determination, not just about training because we didn’t even train much after Taiwo died. It was really a tough time for all of us and for me personally because I had lost a sibling some days before Taiwo passed on. None of the players knew because it could affect them as well. But after the game, I told them.

How is the team working to stay up this season?

Last season, we finished in the top three during the abridged league and we placed fourth during the Super 6. This season has been tough for us but we keep reminding ourselves after every training session about the target which was set from the start of the season and that is to finish in the top three. That looks far from us now but we will keep fighting.

Coach Kennedy Boboye has returned to the club after about 10 years since his first stint. How is the ship under him?

Honestly, it has been a good run under coach Boboye. Despite the fact that he didn’t sign most of the players in the team, he has tried to utilise everyone based on our respective strengths and we have been getting the results. We were very close to relegation when he arrived but we are now 15th. Some consistent good run of results will get us back into mid-table and we can see what we will be able to do with the remaining matches this season.

How is the experience of 2013 AFCON winner, Godfrey Oboabona and Tunde Adeniji, who returned to the club in mid-season, as well as you, helping the team?

First of all, I like the fact that the coach believes so much in our experience. The three of us started the last game against Bayelsa United at home and it was a good shift, if not for the mistake and missed chances that cost us the draw. We have always motivated the younger players in the team and I believe the exposure will make them better too.