October 12, (THEWILL) — A Nigeria Premier Football League fixture between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars descended into chaos on Sunday evening after a late equaliser at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
The hosts had taken the lead through Mustapha Jibrin’s 13th-minute strike before Adams Mustapha levelled for the visitors in the 94th minute to earn a 1-1 draw on matchday seven.
Furious home supporters immediately stormed the pitch when the final whistle sounded, chasing match officials and attacking players from the away side.
Police officers attempted to restore order but were overwhelmed by the scale of the disturbance.
Shooting Stars Sporting Director Tobi Adepoju expressed his dismay on social media, writing: “NPFL SAD.”
The league issued a strong condemnation following the incident, confirming that officials had made contact with the match commissioner and ensured the safety of visiting personnel.
Davidson Owumi, the NPFL’s chief operating officer, stated: “We condemn in the strongest terms any act of violence, intimidation, or misconduct directed at players, match officials, or fans.”
The governing body is now reviewing full reports and video evidence before deciding on sanctions.
Kano Pillars have accumulated fines exceeding ₦36 million since 2019 for similar supporter misconduct. Calls have intensified for harsher punishments, including potential point deductions or neutral venue requirements, to address recurring violence at domestic matches.
Owumi reaffirmed the league’s position on maintaining standards across all venues.
“We reaffirm our commitment to maintaining discipline, safety, and professionalism at all league venues across the country,” he said.
The club has yet to issue any public statement regarding the disorder.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
