The management of Bendel Insurance Football Club has declared goalkeeper Joshua Baba AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave),following his failure to return to the club after the expiration of an approved period of recovery leave granted him.
In a statement signed by Kehinde Osagiede, the club’s Director, Media & Communications, Baba was last seen shortly after the commencement of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season on August 30, 2026, when he sustained a knock during the club’s match against Warri Wolves in Benin.
“Following the injury, the player was granted a two-week recovery period and subsequently travelled to Plateau State to visit his family. He was expected to resume training and report back to the club in mid-September 2026, the statement said.
However, despite the expiration of the approved leave period, Joshua Baba, the statement added, has failed to report to the club and has remained absent without authorisation.
According to Osagiede, the club has made repeated efforts to establish contact with the player and ascertain his whereabouts. “These efforts have, regrettably, proved unsuccessful. The Head Coach and Team Manager have also confirmed that the player has neither returned to duty nor obtained any authorisation to extend his absence.
The club management warned that any club or organisation dealing with Baba is doing so at its own risk.
“It is important to state that Joshua Baba remains under a valid contractual agreement with Bendel Insurance FC until the end of 2027 and is therefore bound by the obligations contained in his contract and the applicable regulations governing professional football in Nigeria.
“Management views this development with serious concern and disappointment, and considers the player’s continued absence without authorization a matter of grave disciplinary importance. Such conduct is unacceptable and falls short of the standards of professionalism, discipline, commitment and responsibility expected of every player representing Bendel Insurance FC.
“The club will therefore take all necessary disciplinary and administrative measures against the player in accordance with his contractual obligations and the applicable rules and regulations of the Nigeria Premier Football League and the Nigeria Football Federation.
Osagiede said that the Bendel Insurance management also formally brings the matter to the attention of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and requests that they take due note of the player’s status and the circumstances surrounding his unauthorized absence.
“Bendel Insurance FC remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of discipline, professionalism and accountability among its players and officials.” He emphasized.