Violence once again marred the Nigerian Professional Football League on Sunday, as supporters of Kano Pillars Football Club attacked players of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and match officials at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. The chaos erupted moments after Shooting Stars scored a late equalizer, turning what should have been a spirited contest into a scene of panic and shame.
Speaking exclusively to Trill Times News Sports Desk from his base in Lisbon, Portugal, Olawale Onipede, a FIFA-licensed agent and CEO of Reigns Soccer Agency, expressed deep disappointment over the recurring acts of hooliganism in Nigerian football, describing the incident as “a dark stain on the integrity of the domestic league.”
“I was sitting in a café with some of my colleagues here in Lisbon when I came across the videos online,” Onipede recounted. Expressing sadness, he said “It was shocking and embarrassing to watch. In today’s world, if fans feel aggrieved by officiating, they should submit evidence to the League Management Committee (LMC) – not resort to violence. This kind of behavior belongs in the past, not in a modern football setting.”
Eyewitness videos shared across social media captured the disturbing moment when sections of the crowd stormed the pitch, forcing players and match officials to flee for safety. Several people reportedly sustained minor injuries before security personnel brought the situation under control.
A Troubling Pattern of Violence
The latest disturbance adds to a worrying history of fan violence involving Kano Pillars supporters over the past decade. Despite repeated warnings and sanctions, incidents of aggression and pitch invasion have persisted, tarnishing the club’s once-proud reputation.
Recent Documented incidents involving Kano Pillars:
- April 25, 2013 – Match against Heartland abandoned after a clash between police and fans; a police officer reportedly shot a supporter inside the stadium.
- 2013 season – Pitch invasion after a league fixture against Enyimba.
- May 2014 – Attack on match officials following a draw with Heartland; the club was banished to Kaduna as punishment.
- May 2016 – Violent scenes during a game against Enyimba; objects were thrown, and Enyimba’s bus and officials were attacked.
- June 2021 – Pitch encroachment during a match against Akwa United.
- April 16, 2022 – Pitch invasion against Katsina United; the visiting team’s bus was vandalized, and the match was abandoned.
- October 2023 – Crowd trouble after a late Rivers United goal.
With Sunday’s attack, this marks the eighth major incident in ten years — a statistic that reflects a deep-rooted disciplinary crisis within the club’s fan base
“Football Is Not War,” Onipede Warns
In his remarks, Onipede urged the League Management Committee to take firm and uncompromising measures against Kano Pillars, emphasizing that tolerance for repeated violence has only emboldened offenders. “The LMC must act decisively – arrests, fines, stadium closures, and even relocating Pillars’ home matches away from Kano should be on the table,” he said.
He noted that “The Sani Abacha Stadium has become a danger zone. If strong action is not taken now, this cycle will never end. Football is not war; it’s a sport meant to unite, not destroy.”
The agent, known for his active involvement in African player development and football integrity advocacy, also called for better fan education and stricter stadium security across the league. “We need to change the mindset of some of these supporters,” he added. “Passion for your club is good, but it must never cross into violence. The players, officials, and fans deserve a safe environment to enjoy the game.”
LMC Investigation Underway
As of press time, the League Management Committee has not released an official statement regarding the incident. However, sources within the LMC confirmed to Trill Times Sports Desk that an investigation has begun, with possible sanctions expected once full reports are received.
Across social media, football stakeholders and fans have expressed outrage, demanding swift justice and reforms to safeguard players and officials in future NPFL fixtures.
For now, the question lingers – how many more incidents will it take before decisive action restores discipline and dignity to Nigerian football?