Bendel Insurance Football Club management has declared goalkeeper Joshua Baba absent without official leave (AWOL) after he failed to return to the club following the expiration of an approved recovery leave.
The club said 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 club said that despite the approved leave period expiring, Joshua Baba has failed to report back and has remained absent without authorisation.
The club said all efforts to contact the player and ascertain his whereabouts were unsuccessful. T
The Head Coach and Team Manager have also confirmed that the player has neither returned to duty nor obtained any authorization to extend his absence.
"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 authorisation 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
Bendel. Insurance FC also formally brings this 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 unauthorised absence
"Bendel Insurance FC remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of discipline, professionalism and accountability among its players and officials," the club said.
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