A Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match between Katsina United and Barau FC was marred by violence on Saturday when supporters invaded the pitch and attacked a Barau FC player, leaving him injured.
The incident occurred at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina during the 69th minute of play. Barau FC had just drawn level after midfielder Orji Kalu scored an equaliser to make it 1–1. Moments after the goal, angry fans of Katsina United stormed the field, resulting in chaos and the assault of Barau FC midfielder Nana Abraham.
Witnesses said the player was struck on the neck with a sharp object thrown from the stands, causing a deep cut that required immediate medical attention. Match officials quickly suspended the game as security personnel and medical staff rushed onto the pitch to attend to the injured player and restore order.
The match was delayed for about 20 minutes before calm was restored. It eventually resumed and ended in a 1–1 draw, though the atmosphere remained tense until the final whistle.
Eyewitnesses described the attack as “a shameful act” that put the lives of players and officials at risk.
“It was terrible. The moment Barau FC scored, some fans became aggressive and started hurling objects,” said one spectator. “The player was bleeding before the medics came in.”
Barau FC later confirmed that Nana Abraham was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. In a statement released late Saturday, the club condemned the attack and urged the league authorities to take immediate disciplinary action against those responsible.
“We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred during our match against Katsina United,” the statement read. “Our player, Nana Abraham, is currently receiving medical care and is in stable condition. We call on the NPFL to ensure that justice is served and that players’ safety is prioritised at all league venues.”
As of the time of this report, Katsina United and the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) had not released official statements regarding the incident. However, reports indicate that the League Management Committee (LMC) has launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those responsible.
The NPFL is expected to review match reports from referees and security officials before announcing any disciplinary measures, which could include fines, stadium bans, or point deductions if the home team is found guilty of poor crowd control.
This incident adds to the growing concern over fan violence and inadequate security at Nigerian football stadiums. In recent seasons, several NPFL matches have been disrupted by similar episodes, prompting calls for stronger enforcement of disciplinary rules and improved safety measures for players and officials.
Football analysts have described the Katsina incident as another setback for Nigerian football’s reputation.
“The league has made progress in many areas, but safety remains a major issue,” said sports commentator Tunde Ogunleye. “No player should fear for their life while playing football. The authorities must act decisively.”
The NPFL disciplinary committee is expected to meet early next week to review the incident and announce its findings.
