Chaos in Kano: NPFL Hits Kano Pillars with ₦9.5 Million Fine, 3-Point Deduction, and Stadium Ban After Brutal Attack on Shooting Stars Players

The Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) has handed a heavy punishment to Kano Pillars following the shocking scenes of violence that erupted after their home game against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, leaving players injured and fans horrified. The league body slammed the club with a ₦9.5 million fine, a 3-point deduction, and an indefinite stadium ban after angry fans stormed the pitch, attacking players, officials, and security personnel moments after the final whistle.

The disturbing incident, which was captured on several videos now circulating online, showed chaotic scenes at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, where enraged Pillars supporters descended on the visiting 3SC players. The match had ended in a tense 1–1 draw, but the home crowd, dissatisfied with the outcome, lost control in an outbreak of violence that has now sent shockwaves across Nigerian football. In one video, Shooting Stars players were seen limping and bleeding as they took refuge in their changing room, some visibly shaken and crying after being pelted with objects and chased off the field by hostile fans.

The NPFL management, in a strongly worded statement released on Monday morning, described the incident as “a gross violation of league regulations and a shameful dent on the image of Nigerian football.” According to the statement, Kano Pillars were found guilty of multiple infractions, including failure to control their supporters, encroachment onto the field of play, assault on match officials and opposing players, and bringing the game into disrepute. The league’s disciplinary committee also confirmed that video evidence and official reports from the match officials were reviewed before the sanctions were imposed.

“The NPFL will not tolerate any form of violence, intimidation, or misconduct capable of endangering the safety of players, officials, or fans,” the statement read. “The scenes in Kano on Sunday were disgraceful and unacceptable. We have therefore imposed a fine of ₦9.5 million, a deduction of 3 league points, and an indefinite ban on the Sani Abacha Stadium pending further review of safety conditions.”

The punishment means Kano Pillars, one of Nigeria’s most successful and popular clubs, will lose three points on the league table and play their upcoming home matches at a neutral venue until further notice. In addition to the fines, the club has been ordered to identify and produce the perpetrators of the violence for prosecution, while a formal apology must be issued to Shooting Stars within seven days. The NPFL also warned that further sanctions could follow if the club fails to comply.

Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing moments as chaos broke out immediately after the referee signaled full-time. Some fans reportedly accused the match officials of bias, while others hurled stones and plastic bottles at the Shooting Stars players as they made their way off the field. The police and private security on duty were quickly overwhelmed by the surge of angry supporters. “It was like a war zone,” said a source who was inside the stadium. “The Shooting Stars players had to run for their lives. Even some of the Pillars players were trying to protect them.”

Players of Shooting Stars, popularly known as “Oluyole Warriors,” were later seen nursing bruises and cuts in a viral video filmed inside their dressing room. Their jerseys were torn, some were bleeding from the head, and others sat on the floor, visibly traumatised. The team’s management later confirmed that several players sustained injuries, though none were life-threatening. “Our boys were attacked for no reason,” a 3SC team official said. “We came here to play football, not to fight for our lives. This is not what the league should stand for.”

Nigerians have reacted with outrage and disappointment over the ugly scenes, with many calling for stricter measures to curb recurring violence in local football. On social media, hashtags like #StopFootballViolence and #JusticeFor3SC began trending as fans demanded justice and accountability. “It’s embarrassing that this still happens in 2025,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “If we want our league to grow, this barbarism must stop. Clubs must be held responsible for the behavior of their fans.”

Others recalled that this is not the first time Kano Pillars have been involved in crowd violence. The club has faced similar sanctions in the past for fan-related misconduct. In 2022, Pillars were fined and forced to play behind closed doors after supporters invaded the pitch and assaulted a referee. The recurrence of such incidents has raised questions about the club’s ability to control its home crowd and the effectiveness of previous disciplinary actions.

Shooting Stars, meanwhile, have expressed gratitude to the NPFL and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for their swift response, but are also calling for further investigations to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. In a statement, the Ibadan-based club said the attack was “a dark day for Nigerian football” and urged the authorities to ensure that safety is guaranteed for visiting teams across all league venues. “Our players could have been killed. This cannot continue,” the statement read. “We appreciate the NPFL’s decision, but we expect concrete steps to prevent such an incident from happening again.”

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, also condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and deeply shameful.” He has directed the NPFL board and the NFF to launch a full investigation into the incident. “Football should unite us, not divide us. What happened in Kano is a disgrace to our sports culture,” the minister said. “Every player deserves to feel safe on the pitch. We will not allow a few misguided individuals to destroy the reputation of Nigerian football.”

As the NPFL season continues, analysts say this incident could have far-reaching implications for the league’s credibility and international image. Violence and poor crowd control have long plagued the Nigerian domestic league, deterring sponsors, reducing fan attendance, and discouraging television broadcasters. The latest episode, many fear, could once again set back efforts to rebuild public confidence in the NPFL brand.

Meanwhile, the League Management Committee has announced plans to introduce stricter security protocols for all league venues, including the mandatory use of surveillance cameras, improved crowd control measures, and heavier penalties for clubs found negligent. The NFF has also hinted at potential lifetime bans for individuals found guilty of inciting violence.

As images of bloodied Shooting Stars players continue to circulate online, fans across Nigeria are left in disbelief, questioning how such scenes could still unfold in a professional football setting. The outcry is loud, the condemnation widespread, and the message from football lovers is clear — the time has come for Nigerian football to put an end to the culture of violence that has stained its beautiful game for far too long.

In the aftermath of the chaos in Kano, one thing is certain: the NPFL’s patience has run out, and its latest sanctions on Kano Pillars may serve as a loud warning to every other club — control your fans or face the consequences.

Watch the video