The father of late Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles defender, Douglas Uzama, has revealed how suspected cultists lured his son from home and killed him at a bar in Benin City, Edo State.

Uzama, 18, played for Gombe United. Gunmen shot him on Thursday in Sakponba, a hotspot for cult violence, while he was on a short holiday.

The left-back featured in the qualifiers for the 2015 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations but missed out on the final squad and the Chile U-17 World Cup, which Nigeria won. He was due to travel to Argentina on January 10, 2017, to sign a contract before his death.

His father, Jacob Uzama, said Douglas left their house on Apostolic Street after a phone call from friends. At a nearby bar, two boys walked in and shot him in the neck. “I rushed to the hospital but he was already dead. We reported to the police, but we’ve heard nothing,” Jacob said.

Eyewitnesses described the killing as a planned cult attack. “Sakponba is notorious for cultists. This was deliberate,” one source said.

Edo State Police Commissioner Haliru Gwandu said the command had no report of Uzama’s death but confirmed arrests of cult suspects in the area.

The tragedy adds to a grim list of Nigerian footballers killed violently. Shooting Stars’ defender Izu Joseph was shot by soldiers in Port Harcourt in October. Bayelsa United captain Abiel Tabor was killed in 2009 after winning the league. That same year, cultists shot dead Ocean Boys players Eniye Dennis and Uboto Ochokoma. Earlier, in 1995, Igeniwari George, brother of Finidi George, died after being shot during a Federation Cup game in Ibadan.

The players’ union condemned Uzama’s death. “Douglas was dedicated, and his death shocked the football community. Killings of young footballers are alarming, and we must seek justice,” it said.

Gombe United also mourned. “Douglas dreamed of playing at the top. His murder shows ordinary Nigerians live at risk daily. We call on security forces to arrest his killers and ensure they face justice,” the club said in a statement.

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