Boluwatife Kehinde
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed heavy sanctions on Kano Pillars Football Club following a violent incident during their Matchday 8 clash with Shooting Stars SC at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
In a summary jurisdiction notice issued on Monday and signed by NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi, the league found Kano Pillars guilty of multiple breaches of its Framework and Rules, including failure to ensure adequate security, loss of crowd control, and acts of misconduct.
According to the NPFL, unauthorised individuals gained access to restricted areas and the pitch due to lapses in security. The club’s supporters were also accused of harassing players, throwing dangerous objects, and physically assaulting both match officials and members of the visiting team.
The NPFL outlined a series of sanctions totaling ₦9.5 million in fines:
₦1 million for failure to provide adequate security.
₦1 million for endangering players and officials with dangerous objects.
₦1 million for inability to control fans.
₦1 million for conduct bringing the league into disrepute.
₦2 million for assaulting Shooting Stars players and match officials.
₦2 million to cover treatment of victims.
₦1.5 million (₦250,000 each) as compensation to match officials
Kano Pillars will also suffer a three-point and three-goal deduction from their current league standings.
Additionally, the Sani Abacha Stadium has been shut indefinitely. The club must now play its home matches in Katsina for at least ten games, or until the NPFL is satisfied that proper security arrangements are in place.
The club has been ordered to identify and prosecute those responsible for the disturbances and submit a revised matchday security and crowd control plan within seven working days.
Kano Pillars have 48 hours to either accept the ruling or appeal before a disciplinary panel. The NPFL has warned that any frivolous appeal may attract further penalties.
This incident adds to a growing list of crowd-related controversies surrounding Kano Pillars in recent seasons.
