Chaos erupted at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday evening after Kano Pillars supporters stormed the pitch and attacked match officials and players of Shooting Stars Sports Club. The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture ended 1–1 but descended into violence moments after the final whistle.
Footage obtained by PUNCH Sports Extra from the live broadcast by Propel Sports showed furious fans invading the field and confronting the officiating crew led by referee Mohammed Tuta, along with assistants Bem Japhet, Shehu Isah, and Alfa Sadiq. The officials were forced to flee as tensions escalated rapidly.
The disturbance began in the dying moments of the match when Shooting Stars forward Adams Mustapha scored a 94th-minute equaliser, cancelling out Mustapha Jibrin’s early strike for Kano Pillars. The late goal sparked outrage among the home crowd, who were already angered by several contentious officiating decisions.
Eyewitnesses reported that irate supporters breached the security barriers and charged towards the visiting team and referees. Several Shooting Stars players, including Ismail Ayodele and Adams Agba’a, were reportedly assaulted during the chaos.
Security operatives wearing neon vests struggled to regain control as the situation spiralled. In a bid to restore order, officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. However, the intervention backfired when some fans hurled the canisters back toward officials and players, worsening the confusion.
Videos circulated on social media showed players sprinting for safety while smoke filled the pitch. The shocking scenes drew widespread condemnation from football fans and stakeholders across Nigeria.
Supporters’ group 3SC Fans TV released a statement condemning the violence and urging the NPFL and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to impose strict sanctions on Kano Pillars and ensure the safety of players and officials in future matches.
No fatalities were reported as of press time, but several players and match officials sustained injuries. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
This latest outbreak of violence adds to growing concerns over security at NPFL venues. Analysts have called for stronger crowd control measures, better stadium security infrastructure, and harsher penalties for clubs whose fans engage in violent conduct.
The NPFL management is expected to launch a formal investigation into the matter, with potential sanctions ranging from fines and stadium bans to point deductions.
As Nigeria’s top-flight league seeks to improve its global image, incidents like this threaten to undermine the progress made in professionalising the sport and attracting sponsors and fans.
