Tension erupted at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday after angry Kano Pillars fans invaded the pitch, attacking the referee and Shooting Stars players following a dramatic 1-1 draw in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The violence broke out moments after the referee awarded a controversial 94th-minute equalizer to Kano Pillars, sparking outrage among supporters who accused match officials of bias. The chaotic scene forced security operatives to fire tear gas to control the crowd and restore order.

According to eyewitnesses, several Shooting Stars players were injured in the attack. Midfielder Ismail Ayodele and forward Adams Agba were among those who sustained injuries and received treatment in the dressing room.

Officials from the Nigeria Premier Football League have strongly condemned the violence and announced that a full investigation is underway. The league body said it would review the referee’s match report, the match commissioner’s statement, and security footage before deciding on possible sanctions against Kano Pillars.

In a public statement, Ahmed Musa, general manager of Kano Pillars, expressed regret over the incident and apologized to the affected Shooting Stars players and match officials. Musa described the behavior of the fans as “unacceptable” and assured that the club would fully cooperate with the NPFL’s disciplinary process.

“We sincerely apologize to Shooting Stars and the officials for what happened. This does not represent the values of Kano Pillars or our supporters,” Musa said. “We will work closely with security agencies and the league to ensure this kind of incident never happens again.”

The match itself had been a tense contest from the start. Shooting Stars took the lead early in the second half through a well-placed strike by Sikiru Alimi, but Kano Pillars continued to push for an equalizer. Their persistence paid off deep into stoppage time, when Rabiu Ali converted from close range, prompting a wild reaction from home fans.

What began as celebration quickly turned to chaos as some supporters stormed the pitch, targeting the referee and opposing players. Security officials rushed both teams into the locker rooms as bottles and objects rained down from the stands.

NPFL officials described the scene as “deeply concerning” and emphasized that such behavior tarnishes the image of Nigerian football.

“Violence has no place in football,” the league said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring the safety of players, referees, and fans, and those responsible will face disciplinary measures.”

Several fans were reportedly detained by police for questioning, while local authorities promised to enhance stadium security for future games.

Sunday’s incident marks the second time in two seasons that Kano Pillars supporters have been involved in violent conduct at their home ground. Analysts say the NPFL may consider imposing stricter penalties, including fines, stadium bans, or point deductions, to curb recurring violence.

Despite the unfortunate ending, both teams are expected to continue their campaigns as the NPFL season progresses, though the aftermath of the attack may dominate headlines in the days ahead.