By: Boluwatife Kehinde
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is once again under the spotlight after violent scenes erupted at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, following a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser by Shooting Stars against hosts Kano Pillars on Sunday evening.
What should have been a showcase of competitive football ended in mayhem as enraged Kano Pillars supporters stormed the pitch, targeting players, officials, and staff of the visiting team.
The chaos broke out after Adams Mustapha’s late goal cancelled out Mustapha Jibrin’s opener for the home side, securing a 1–1 draw for the Ibadan-based outfit.
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Security personnel were quickly overwhelmed as fans breached barricades, leading to violent assaults on several Shooting Stars players including Ismail Ayodele and Adams Agba’a.
In a desperate bid to regain control, security operatives fired tear gas into the crowd—but this only escalated the disorder, with fans throwing canisters back and further endangering everyone on the pitch.
The incident sparked immediate backlash from fans and stakeholders alike, with many demanding stronger sanctions.
Videos shared by 3SC Fans TV showed scenes of chaos and condemnation from the visiting supporters, who described the attack as “unacceptable” and urged the league authorities to act decisively.
This isn’t the first time Kano Pillars have found themselves at the centre of such controversy. The club has developed a troubling reputation for fan violence, having accumulated fines exceeding ₦36 million since 2019 for various infractions.
Recent penalties include ₦12 million in January 2024 alone—yet the behaviour persists.
Football analysts and supporters are now calling for more than just financial penalties.
A growing number believe the time has come for the NPFL to impose a stadium ban on Kano Pillars or enforce points deductions to send a clear message that violence will no longer be tolerated.
In a preliminary response, NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi condemned the incident, noting that the league had “noted with concern” the videos circulating online and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on violence and misconduct.
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As investigations begin, the league faces mounting pressure to move beyond warnings and fines—and take firm action to protect the integrity of Nigerian football.
