Shooting Stars Football club energetic defender, Izu Joseph has been shot dead by soldiers in his hometown, Okaki in Rivers State.
According to a Breaking News report, Nigerian Professional League club, Shooting Stars FC, has announced that the club's central defender, Izu Joseph has been confirmed dead after he was hit by a stray bullet in Bayelsa State on Sunday.
The player’s father confirmed the death of the player at the hands of Joint Task Force (JTF), who are locked in a long-drawn face-off with militants in the restive Niger Delta.
It was learnt that although he was rushed to the hospital after he was shot, he passed away before receiving medical attention.
"A Shooting STAR is gone! Izu Joseph is gone! Flamboyant defender is gone! RIP, brother. What a life! May God strengthen his family #Tragedy," 3SC confirmed his passing on Twitter on Monday morning.
The powerful central defender, who was a great man marker and good aerially, joined Shooting Stars three years from Bayelsa United when the Ibadan club were still in the second-tier Nigeria National League (NNL).
Initial reports said the player was caught out at a restricted area by soldiers on a raid. His identity as a footballer was only established after he had been shot.
In week 26 of the Nigerian Professional Football league, Izu grabbed a last-gasp winner to ensure his team beat Nasarawa United 2-1.
May his soul RIP.