25 years ago, tragedy struck women’s football in Nigeria as 17 players and officials of Nigeria Women Premier League side, Police Machine FC died in a ghastly motor accident.
The team were on their way back from a league game against Rivers Mermaid FC when they got involved in a motor accident at J4 bridge near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, which claims the life of fourteen (14) players, two (2) officials and a driver, on the 12th of September 1996 around 2:15am, in a coaster bus with registration No. PF514HQ. Only three (3) persons survived on this black day.
The departed soul of the police machine team’s last journey from mother earth was on the 24th of September 1996. All corpses were conveyed from general hospital mortuary Lagos Island in motorcade for lying in state at the Police College parade ground for interdenominational service rite (Muslim, followed by Christian rite).
After paying last respect by family, friends, well-wishers, and all other top dignitaries, corpses departed Lagos to their various homes.
A similar tragedy befell the same team in 2019 as hit and run jeep driver led the death of two players, Saturday Glory and Aniebet Ekong.
The departed were indeed heroes of the women’s league as they died while pursuing their dreams representing their clubs in the women’s football league.
FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS (POLICE MACHINE WOMEN’S TEAM):
1) ASP Philip Agu — Coach
2) INSP Augustine Kure — Coach
3) INSP Salami Aminu — Driver
4) PC Blessing Gum — Goalkeeper
5) PC Selimotu Salami — Goalkeeper
6) PC Gbadamasi Shola — Player
7) PC Alekwe Martha — Player
8) PC Xavier Ekaette — Player
9) PC Effiong Victoria — Player
10) PC Eke Sunday — Player
11) PC Obiaji Charity — Player
12) PC Odiaesieme Livina — Player
13) PC Benji Gloria — Player
14) CUSTOM Esanumie Pauline — Player
SURVIVORS:
1) Chinyere Asugbami
2) Edumasoude Rosline
3) Akpulo Christiana
MOLATsportgist 