Unrest at Sani Abacha Stadium
Chaos erupted at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday evening after fans of Kano Pillars invaded the pitch and attacked match officials, players, and staff of Shooting Stars Sports Club. This happened following a dramatic late equalizer in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match.
The fixture, which ended 1–1, turned violent moments after the final whistle. Footage obtained from a live broadcast by Propel Sports showed irate fans storming the pitch and confronting the officiating team, led by referee Mohammed Tuta, with assistants Bem Japhet, Shehu Isah, and Alfa Sadiq also targeted. The officials were forced to flee for safety as chaos spread across the pitch.
The violence began after Shooting Stars forward Adams Mustapha scored a 94th-minute equalizer to cancel out Mustapha Jibrin’s early opener for the hosts. Enraged by the late goal and referee calls during the game, home supporters breached security barriers and charged towards the match officials and visiting players.
Several Shooting Stars players, including Ismail Ayodele and Adams Agba’a, were reportedly assaulted in the ensuing melee. Security operatives in neon vests struggled to contain the situation and resorted to firing tear gas to disperse the angry crowd. The deployment of tear gas, however, intensified the disorder as some fans hurled the canisters back towards the officials and players while pandemonium swept through the stadium.
In videos shared on social media by 3SC Fans TV, the visiting supporters condemned the attack and called for urgent disciplinary action. They posted:
“This isn’t the kind of behaviour we should be spreading.”
“Ismail Ayodele and Adams Agba’a were also hit by fans in the chaos that followed the final whistle. Violence has no place in this beautiful game. Fans can and must do better.”
In another statement, the fan group added:
“Despite a spirited performance that earned a point in Kano, the aftermath was marred by unacceptable scenes, as our players were attacked by Kano Pillars fans for reasons best known to them. This kind of behaviour has no place in football. While we are not the league body, we strongly hope justice is served. This is not good for the image of the NPFL. Let’s protect the game.”
History of Crowd Troubles
The violent episode adds to a growing list of disciplinary issues involving Kano Pillars and their supporters. The club, one of Nigeria’s most decorated sides, has repeatedly been sanctioned for crowd trouble. Since 2019, they have been fined over N36m for various incidents of fan misconduct. These include multiple penalties in 2022 when supporters invaded the pitch during a match against Akwa United, prompting a points deduction.
The recurrence of such violent outbreaks has raised serious questions about safety and crowd management in the NPFL. Sunday’s scenes once again highlight the fragile nature of matchday security in Nigeria, where poor crowd control and fan indiscipline continue to undermine the progress of the domestic league.
League Response
The NPFL board issued a preliminary statement on the incident signed by its Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi. The league said it had “noted with concern the disturbing reports and viral video clips” from the fixture and condemned “in the strongest terms any act of violence, intimidation, or misconduct directed at players, match officials, or fans.”
The NPFL added that the matter was being treated with utmost seriousness and assured that appropriate actions would follow upon review of the official match reports and full video evidence.
Impact on the NPFL
The incident has sparked widespread concern among football enthusiasts and stakeholders. It underscores the need for stricter measures to ensure the safety of all participants in the sport. The NPFL must take decisive steps to address these recurring issues and restore public confidence in the league.