The Nigeria Premier Soccer League was thrown into the highlight for the mistaken causes on Sunday after a late equaliser by Taking pictures Stars Sports activities Membership sparked violent scenes on the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Moments after the ultimate whistle of the high-tension Matchday 8 conflict, sections of Kano Pillars’ supporters stormed the pitch, attacking match officers and visiting gamers in a chaotic and ugly finish to a dramatic 1–1 encounter.
A late equaliser that sparked rage
The match began positively for the house facet. Mustapha Jibrin’s ninth-minute strike gave Pillars an early lead, and the boisterous Kano crowd roared in approval. However deep into the added time of the second half, Adams Mustapha surprised the house supporters with a late equaliser for Taking pictures Stars, a aim that flipped the temper contained in the stadium from electrical to explosive.
Inside seconds of the whistle, offended followers broke by the obstacles and sprinted towards the referees. Viral movies present pitch invaders hurling objects and throwing punches at match officers in an alarming scene that has since dominated Nigerian soccer conversations on-line.
Referees and 3SC Gamers focused
The violence didn’t cease with the officers. Taking pictures Stars gamers and workers had been additionally caught within the melee, with Ismail Ayodele and Adams Agba’a reportedly sustaining head injuries during the attack.
🎥 Unacceptable Scenes in Kano
This isn’t the type of habits we needs to be spreading.
Ismail Ayodele and Adams Agba’a had been additionally hit by followers within the chaos that adopted the ultimate whistle. Violence has no place on this stunning recreation.
Followers can and should do higher.#NPFL26 |… pic.twitter.com/c7HlWHztdP
— 3SCFansTV (@3scfanstv) October 12, 2025
Safety operatives had been compelled to deploy teargas to disperse the gang and escort the referees, away group gamers, and match officers to security.
NPFL reacts: “We condemn within the strongest phrases”
In a swift response, the NPFL administration, by its Chief Working Officer, Davidson Owumi, issued a strongly worded assertion on Sunday night time.
“We condemn within the strongest phrases any act of violence, intimidation, or misconduct directed at gamers, match officers, or followers,” the assertion learn.
“Whereas the league awaits the official match stories and full video proof from the Match Commissioner and Referees, this remoted incident is being handled with utmost seriousness, and applicable actions will comply with upon evaluate of the complete stories.”
Owumi additionally confirmed that the league administration has been involved with the match commissioner, the referees, and Taking pictures Stars officers to make sure their security.
“We reaffirm our dedication to sustaining self-discipline, security, and professionalism in any respect league venues throughout the nation,” he added.
Kano Pillars promise a crackdown
Pillars’ administration additionally launched an announcement hours after the incident, acknowledging the unrest however insisting the state of affairs was “swiftly introduced underneath management.”
“Instantly after the ultimate whistle, just a few misguided individuals tried to trigger dysfunction throughout the stadium premises. Nevertheless, because of the swift intervention of our stewards and safety companies, the state of affairs was promptly introduced underneath management,” the membership acknowledged.
The membership confirmed that a number of people concerned within the violence had been arrested and handed over to safety companies.
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“Kano Pillars FC will totally cooperate with the authorities to make sure that any particular person discovered culpable faces the complete wrath of the legislation,” the assertion continued.
“Moreover, the administration of Kano Pillars FC will impose strict sanctions by banning all recognized troublemakers from accessing the Sani Abacha Stadium for the following 10 seasons.”
A priority within the League
Incidents of fan violence have lengthy been a sore level within the NPFL’s push for world credibility. Sunday’s chaos as soon as once more raises pressing questions on matchday safety, accountability, and the necessity for punishments to discourage troublemakers.
Kano Pillars, one of many league’s most storied golf equipment, has a passionate fan base that additionally has a historical past of notoriety. However because the NPFL intensifies efforts to professionalise the league, such disruptions threaten to overshadow the on-pitch spectacle and injury the competitors’s picture.
With the league physique vowing to behave decisively and the membership promising stiff sanctions, the approaching days will reveal simply how strongly Nigerian soccer intends to attract the road on fan violence.
Backside Line
A late equaliser might have value Pillars two factors, however the aftermath may value much more: reputations, factors, and presumably sanctions. The NPFL has promised a agency response, and all eyes might be on what occurs subsequent.
