Super Eagles and Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has revealed
how he almost lost his life in last week market bombing in Jos, that
killed about 118 people.
21 year old Onazi had traveled to his birth city Jos as the Italian serie A came to an end. The defensive midfielder went to the market on tuesday when the first blast ripped the area.
He told the BBC: I am very, very lucky, just by the grace of God.” “It was just like an ordinary day. Happy faces and friendly warmth that makes you feel happy to be back home. “We had gone to the railway market to get something. I think it was 15 minutes later when we heard the loud blast from the place. And suddenly, people were just running. “There was chaos and pandemonium.
There was smoke, I was confused, lost and just wondered what had happened. I had no idea what was going on and it was scary. “All my life I have never heard a bang or boom like that.”
Onazi also talked about how his teammates are all concerned about the recent terrorist activities carried out by terror sect Boko Haram in their home country. He said the unrest back home has made it extremely difficult to think about football at the moment as they are all worried about the safety of their loved ones back home.
He said: “Some will say I should be happy to be alive but I just feel concerned about the security challenges in Jos and Nigeria as a country,”.
“I was born and bred in a peaceful Jos. I may be fortunate enough to live outside the place right now, but I still have my family and friends who live in the city. “I always get worried when there are reports of terrible incidents there on a regular basis.
It’s sad and depressing to live with this. “Personally, I think there is a need for a holistic approach to solving this problem once and for all. “Innocent people are dying and the government seriously needs to step up security across the country.”
Onazi is with his teammates in London now, preparing to face the Scottish national team today and is still trying to put away the memories of that horrible day.
21 year old Onazi had traveled to his birth city Jos as the Italian serie A came to an end. The defensive midfielder went to the market on tuesday when the first blast ripped the area.
He told the BBC: I am very, very lucky, just by the grace of God.” “It was just like an ordinary day. Happy faces and friendly warmth that makes you feel happy to be back home. “We had gone to the railway market to get something. I think it was 15 minutes later when we heard the loud blast from the place. And suddenly, people were just running. “There was chaos and pandemonium.
There was smoke, I was confused, lost and just wondered what had happened. I had no idea what was going on and it was scary. “All my life I have never heard a bang or boom like that.”
Onazi also talked about how his teammates are all concerned about the recent terrorist activities carried out by terror sect Boko Haram in their home country. He said the unrest back home has made it extremely difficult to think about football at the moment as they are all worried about the safety of their loved ones back home.
He said: “Some will say I should be happy to be alive but I just feel concerned about the security challenges in Jos and Nigeria as a country,”.
“I was born and bred in a peaceful Jos. I may be fortunate enough to live outside the place right now, but I still have my family and friends who live in the city. “I always get worried when there are reports of terrible incidents there on a regular basis.
It’s sad and depressing to live with this. “Personally, I think there is a need for a holistic approach to solving this problem once and for all. “Innocent people are dying and the government seriously needs to step up security across the country.”
Onazi is with his teammates in London now, preparing to face the Scottish national team today and is still trying to put away the memories of that horrible day.
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