The Nigeria Premier Football League once again witnessed a troubling episode of fan violence as players and officials of Ikorodu City were reportedly held hostage by irate Shooting Stars supporters after a goalless draw at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
Following the match on Sunday, tensions escalated rapidly as home fans, frustrated by the outcome, vandalised Ikorodu City's team bus and attempted to storm the away team's dressing room. Police on site struggled to contain the situation, which saw the visiting team effectively barricaded inside the stadium for more than two hours.
The situation only de-escalated after a military escort was arranged to safely evacuate the Ikorodu City contingent from the venue. The incident highlights continuing concerns over crowd control and security in Nigerian domestic football.
Editorial
What transpired in Ibadan should never happen in a professional football environment. The hostage-like scenario endured by Ikorodu City’s players and staff is a stain on the NPFL and a glaring reminder of the league’s persistent struggle with fan discipline and matchday security.
This wasn’t just an outburst it was an organised act of intimidation, made worse by the fact that a 0-0 draw was all it took to trigger it. The question we must ask is simple: when will Nigerian football take crowd control seriously?
We must move beyond press releases and start enforcing real accountability. Clubs must be held responsible for the actions of their fans. Stadium bans, points deductions, and financial penalties must be swiftly applied, otherwise such incidents will remain part of the NPFL’s narrative.
Football should never be life-threatening. No player or official should fear for their safety because of a result. If we want our league to grow, to attract sponsors, fans, and global interest, we must guarantee that it is not just competitive but civilised.
We stand with Ikorodu City and demand immediate action from the league authorities. Enough is enough.
Did You Know?
- The Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan was renovated in 2021 to meet modern standards but has faced repeated issues with crowd control.
- This is not the first time Shooting Stars fans have been involved in post-match disturbances—similar incidents were reported in 2016 and 2022.
- The Nigeria Premier Football League has yet to adopt advanced fan-tracking or entry monitoring systems widely used in other leagues.
- Ikorodu City, though relatively new in the NPFL, have quickly become known for their disciplined away performances.
- FIFA and CAF regulations mandate severe punishments—including disqualification—for clubs that fail to ensure the safety of visiting teams.
