Bloody Matchday: Video Shows Injured Shooting Stars Players After Violent Kano Pillars Fans’ Attack

On Sunday, October 12, chaos erupted at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano after Kano Pillars supporters stormed the pitch and attacked Shooting Stars players and match officials moments after a dramatic late equalizer ended their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clash 1-1.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Kano Pillars had taken an early lead through Mustapha Jibrin, but Adams Mustapha stunned the home fans with a 94th-minute equalizer for the visitors — a moment that quickly turned violent. Enraged supporters broke through security barricades, invading the pitch and chasing players and referees.

Footage from Propel Sports’ live broadcast and several online videos captured disturbing scenes as referee Mohammed Tuta and his assistants, Bem Japhet, Shehu Isah, and Alfa Sadiq, ran for safety while chaos spread across the stadium.

Security personnel, clearly overwhelmed by the mob, fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd. However, the situation worsened as some fans hurled the canisters back at the officials and players.

Several Shooting Stars players, including Ismail Ayodele and Adams Agba’a, sustained injuries during the attack. Videos later showed them with bruises while receiving medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, 3SC Fans TV condemned the violence, urging the NPFL to impose strict sanctions.

“This isn’t the kind of behaviour we should be spreading,” the fan group wrote. “Ismail Ayodele and Adams Agba’a were also hit by fans in the chaos that followed the final whistle. Violence has no place in this beautiful game. Fans can and must do better.”

Another statement from the group added:

“Despite a spirited performance that earned a point in Kano, our players were attacked by Kano Pillars fans for reasons best known to them. This kind of behaviour has no place in football. We strongly hope justice is served — this is damaging to the NPFL’s image.”

The NPFL Board, in a statement signed by Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi, said it was reviewing “disturbing reports and viral videos” from the fixture. It strongly condemned any act of violence, intimidation, or misconduct against players, officials, or fans, adding that disciplinary measures would soon follow.

Kano Pillars, one of Nigeria’s most successful clubs, has a long record of fan-related misconduct. Since 2019, the club has reportedly been fined over ₦36 million for crowd disturbances, pitch invasions, and assaults on officials.

Amid growing outrage, the club’s General Manager and former Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, issued a heartfelt apology late Sunday night, describing the incident as “heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable.”

“I, Ahmed Musa, the General Manager of Kano Pillars Football Club, extend my deepest and most sincere apologies for the unfortunate, painful, and disgraceful incident that occurred during our game against Shooting Stars,” he stated.

“What transpired is heartbreaking and does not represent the true values or proud history of Kano Pillars. This club has always stood for community, passion, and respect — values that must never be overshadowed by violence or indiscipline.”

Musa apologized to Shooting Stars players, coaches, officials, the NPFL board, and football fans nationwide, pledging that the club would cooperate fully with authorities to identify and punish those responsible.

“Apologies alone are not enough,” he said. “We will take concrete steps to ensure such a shameful incident never happens again.”

Addressing the club’s fans, Musa urged them to reflect on the incident and embrace discipline.

“Kano Pillars is a proud club with a rich legacy, and you, the fans, are its heartbeat. But true support is shown not through violence, but through respect, passion, and sportsmanship. This must be a turning point for us.”

He concluded by taking full responsibility and promising to help rebuild the club’s reputation.

“On behalf of Kano Pillars Football Club, I offer my most heartfelt apology to everyone affected — to Shooting Stars, to the referees, to Nigerian football fans. We are sorry. I am sorry. We take full responsibility and will do everything possible to restore trust, respect, and the true spirit of football in Kano and across Nigeria.”

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