By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Fake Cops Storm Football Match, Gun Down 3 in Brazen Five-Minute Attack
Players ordered to the ground as masked gunmen carry out targeted hit on pitch. An evening football match turned deadly after armed men disguised as police officers stormed a gated sports complex, opening fire and killing three people in a swift, coordinated attack that unfolded in just minutes.
CCTV footage from the scene shows players enjoying a casual game on an artificial pitch when three masked men, dressed to resemble law enforcement officers, entered the facility.
Sensing danger, those on the field immediately dropped to the ground as the intruders moved with purpose toward their target.
The gunmen singled out one man near the centre of the pitch, assaulting him before shooting him dead as others lay face down, fearing for their lives.
Moments later, the attackers fled the scene, leaving behind chaos and shock. The entire operation lasted less than five minutes.
When survivors cautiously rose to their feet, they fled the pitch in panic. Authorities later confirmed that two additional victims were found dead in nearby areas, bringing the total number of fatalities to three.
Security overpowered before strike
Investigators say the attackers gained access to the complex by overpowering security guards stationed at the entrance.
The guards were reportedly restrained, and their weapons taken, allowing the assailants to move freely into the facility without raising alarm.
The primary victim has been identified as Stalin Rolando Olivero Vargas, 40, also known as “Marino,” a man long known to law enforcement and believed to be a senior figure in an organised crime group operating in the region.
Vargas had previously served a prison sentence for robbery and had been under close police monitoring in the weeks leading up to the killing.
Gang rivalry suspected
Authorities believe the attack was a targeted execution linked to internal criminal rivalries.
Interior officials said intelligence suggests Vargas was considering switching allegiance from his current gang to a rival group — a move that may have marked him for death.
Just days before the shooting, police had carried out searches in nearby residential areas in an effort to locate him.
The other victims were identified as Jefferson Xavier Salon Olivero, 33, and Richard Josue Mina Vergara, 29. Both reportedly had criminal histories involving serious offences, including drug trafficking and violent crime.
Investigators are also examining Vargas’ personal connections, including his reported relationship with the daughter of a former regional political figure.
No arrests, investigation ongoing
Despite the existence of surveillance footage, no arrests have been made.
Police say efforts are underway to identify the attackers, determine how they obtained police-style uniforms, and establish whether the attack involved inside assistance.
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