NEWCASTLE striker Obafemi Martins last night told of his terror
after a gang of masked gunmen fired at his car wounding a
pal.
His Mercedes was sprayed with bullets and his passenger hit in the
hand and shoulder.
Shocked Martins, 22, said: They shot indiscriminately and tried to
kill all the occupants of the car. They werent there to rob me but
to finish me off.
I thought I was going to die. They executed it like professional
hired assassins.
"They didnt say anything to me but just started shooting at the
car. It was hell. I was dead in my heart and soul. It all happened
like in the movies.
The horror ordeal began when three masked gunmen surrounded Martins
at a petrol station near his plush apartment in Lagos, Nigeria,
late on Monday night.
The player, who is now recovering in Italy, said: I didnt know
their mission but they looked scary and mean. My nerves were
completely dead when I saw the guns.
The terrified Magpies ace tried to reverse his car to get away but
was blocked by another car parked behind him.
Gunshots were fired at the windscreen and through the passenger
window. Martins mate Remi Onipede was hit but the St James Park
hero managed to run for cover before cops arrived.
The gang did not steal the car and Martins now believes their
motive could have been murder as payback for him missing a recent
international rather than robbery.
He said: If you are attacked by armed robbers, they only threaten
you and take whatever they want but these guys were only after my
life.
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How I managed to escape is still shocking and unbelievable.
Maybe someone up there loves me more than I could imagine because
only he could explain what happened.
But my mother is scared they could come back again.
She almost passed out when she saw the car. She just kept asking
who wants me dead.
I dont feel safe in Lagos any more and dont think I want to
return so fast.
"I was born in Lagos, I am a Lagosian. But when I dont feel safe
in my hometown then something must be wrong.
I am not running away from armed robbers but people who want to
take the life of Obafemi Martins.
"Its a great thing to play for your country, put smiles on the
faces of people and also feel safe among your family and
fans.
But when the situation gets out of hand, I dont think coming home
is something I can even contemplate.
HORROR ... Martins' car sprayed with bullets
HORROR ... Martins' car sprayed with bullets
Onipede, speaking to The Sun from his hospital bed, said: I am
grateful to God for his favours because I could have been a dead
man by now. But Ive had X-rays and doctors say I will be
fine.
Those people were merciless, they just kept shooting at us.
Martins mum Alhaja added: Obafemi is the breadwinner of my family
and some evil people want him dead.
Tell me why he should continue to stay here.
I have told him to return to Europe and I will join him there when
I feel like seeing him.
They might return to haunt him, so it will be stupid of him to
stay.
