The League Management Company (LMC) has expressed its sadness over the news of the death of one of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Referees, Femi Okebukola in a motor accident on his way home to his base after the match day 4 fixture in Maiduguri.

Shehu Dikko, the LMC Chairman in a statement said the sad news came shortly after the shocking death of Sports Journalist, Jide Fashikun.

“We mourn the death of the two gentlemen and commiserate with their families, the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on this untimely deaths.”

Dikko said to honour the late gentlemen who had contributed to the development of the NPFL through their respective professions, the LMC has directed the observation of a minute silence and wearing of black armband by all players and Officials during the Matchday 6 of the NPFL this midweek.

“In honour of the departed Referee and Journalist, all players and Referees are to wear black armband during this Wednesday fixtures of NPFL Match Day 6,” the LMC Chairman directed.

Okebukola handled the Match Day 4 fixture between El-Kanemi Warriors and Nasarawa United on Thursday in Maiduguri.

Fashikun of online publication, the Gong News reportedly died after a brief illness.