Conflicting accounts have emerged following Saturday’s Nigeria Premier Soccer League (NPFL) match between Katsina United and Barau FC on the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, the place reviews claimed {that a} participant’s throat was slit throughout a violent assault by followers.
Nevertheless, witnesses, membership officers, and video proof reviewed by our reporter recommend the incident was exaggerated, with poor officiating and mounting fan frustration recognized as the first triggers of the disturbance.
Viral Stories of “Slit Throat”
Shortly after Barau FC’s Orji Kalu scored a 69th-minute equaliser to make the rating 1–1, social media posts from Sahara Reporters and TheCable claimed that Barau FC’s winger, Nana Abraham, had been “stabbed within the neck” by a Katsina United fan.
The reviews described the scene as chaotic, with photographs circulating on-line exhibiting the participant being attended to by medical personnel and blood stains round his neck. The publications urged that the match descended into violence, prompting safety operatives to intervene.
Barau FC additionally appeared to verify the declare in an X publish, writing: “70’ The match is briefly halted following an assault on Barau FC participant, Nana Abraham.”
‘Poor officiating triggered fan unrest’ Witness
However followers and officers who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES in Katsina disputed the claims, insisting that no supporter entered the pitch throughout the recreation.
Ahmad Mukhtar, a Katsina United fan who watched the match dwell, said that the difficulty began after a sequence of questionable refereeing selections.
“Whoever watched the match is aware of it was poorly officiated,” Mr Mukhtar stated. “The referee has a document of bias towards Katsina United. The equaliser he awarded Barau FC was a foul — even the linesman flagged it.”
He alleged that tensions had been additional fuelled when the Basic Supervisor of Barau FC, initially denied entry to the technical space, was later allowed into the stadium following protests.
“The followers didn’t come to disrupt the match. It was the officiating that provoked them,” he stated. “Some objects had been thrown, sure, however no person was attacked with a weapon. What occurred was exaggerated.”
Mr Mukhtar additionally dismissed reviews that Barau FC’s Nana Abraham suffered a extreme neck harm.
“He fell after being hit by an object whereas a medical workforce was attending to him on the sideline, however he later stood up and bumped into the sphere himself,” he added.
Membership spokesperson denies assault
Nasiru Gide, spokesperson for Katsina United, additionally debunked the “slit throat” declare, describing it as a deliberate try and smear the membership.
“These reviews are fairly deceptive,” Mr Gide stated. “Sure, followers threw objects due to poor officiating, however nobody entered the pitch. We’ve got movies exhibiting him strolling after the incident.”
He stated the misunderstanding began when the referee overruled his assistant after Barau FC’s equaliser was flagged as a foul.
“The referee requested the linesman to decrease his flag and allowed the aim. That’s what provoked the followers,” he defined. “However the match continued and ended peacefully.”
Mr Gide additionally confirmed that safety personnel later escorted the referee and the visiting workforce out of the stadium after guaranteeing the environment had been protected.
Membership condemns ‘false media reviews’
In an official assertion issued on Sunday, Katsina United condemned what they described as “false and deceptive media reviews” in regards to the incident.
“At no level throughout the match did any supporter achieve entry to the pitch,” the assertion learn. “The publication suggesting a participant was slaughtered is totally false. Such misinformation damages the membership’s picture and the progress of soccer in Katsina State.”
The membership stated they’d search authorized redress if the reviews weren’t retracted, whereas calling on the League Administration Physique (LMB) to analyze the match and assessment the officiating.
READ ALSO: NPFL: Stabbing of Barau FC participant in Katsina raises recent safety considerations
Recurring NPFL violence
The Katsina incident provides to a string of violent episodes which have marred the 2025 NPFL season. In October, the League Administration Physique fined Kano Pillars ₦9.5 million and deducted three factors after followers invaded the pitch throughout a 1–1 draw with Taking pictures Stars of Ibadan in Kano.
Earlier this yr, Plateau United’s striker Vincent Temitope was additionally stabbed by a fan in Lafia throughout a league match.
These repeated instances have raised considerations over officiating requirements, fan self-discipline, and stadium safety within the Nigerian home league.
Awaiting NPFL investigation
As of Sunday afternoon, the NPFL secretariat had but to concern an official assertion relating to the Katsina match. A senior official of the league, who spoke anonymously, stated the match commissioner’s report would decide any disciplinary measures.
For now, each golf equipment await the league’s findings, however Saturday’s occasions as soon as once more spotlight the delicate mixture of poor officiating, emotional fandom, and weak regulation threatening the credibility of Nigerian soccer.
