Two people have been killed following violent clashes between rival gangs in the aftermath of a football match between Kano Pillars and Katsina United at Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.
The deadly violence erupted when a group of over 100 youths, armed with dangerous weapons, stormed several communities in the Kofar Mata area of Kano. They wreaked havoc, looting shops and homes in their wake.
According to eyewitness reports, the attackers, believed to be rival gangs, clashed violently with each other, leaving two victims dead.
The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Salman Dogo Garba, confirmed the killings in a statement released on Monday night. He assured the public that efforts were being made to arrest all those involved in the tragic incident.
“As I speak to you, we are writing a report on it. Many people have been arrested, and we are moving all out to ensure the arrest and prosecution of all the hoodlums involved,” Commissioner Garba said in a phone interview with reporters.
Residents in the affected areas, including Zango, Kofar Mata, Yakasai, and Rimi communities, have expressed their anger and fear after the violent attacks. Shops were looted, and homes were ransacked during the clashes, leaving many people with significant losses.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the violence as “unprecedented.”
“It was like a war zone,” the resident said. “The youths came in, and before we knew it, shops were being looted, houses were destroyed, and people were running for their lives.”
The police response has been swift, with several arrests already made. However, Commissioner Garba has vowed that more arrests will follow as the investigation continues.
“We will ensure that the full weight of the law is brought down on these criminals,” Garba added. “This kind of violence is unacceptable, and we will do everything in our power to bring justice to the victims and their families.”
The violent post-match clashes in Kano have sparked outrage across the state, with many calling for increased security around public events, especially football matches, which have often been marred by violence in the past.
Kano residents have also expressed concern about the lack of safety in their neighborhoods, especially after such violent outbursts following major events.
Business owners in the affected areas are now counting their losses. Many are struggling to recover from the destruction caused by the rampaging gangs. One shopkeeper, whose store was looted, said he was devastated by the events.
“I had just restocked my shop, and now it’s all gone,” the shopkeeper lamented. “I don’t know how I will recover from this.”
Local authorities are currently working on plans to restore order to the affected communities and prevent future outbreaks of violence. The state government has promised to support victims of the attacks.
The police have assured residents that security measures will be heightened around sports venues and other public spaces to prevent similar incidents. In the meantime, the investigation continues, with police vowing to track down all the perpetrators involved in the violence.
This incident is the latest in a series of violent acts that have taken place in Kano in recent months, leading to concerns about rising criminal activity in the state. The police are urging the public to report any suspicious activities to help prevent further incidents.
As the investigation unfolds, Kano residents and business owners continue to demand justice for the victims and call for more effective policing to keep their communities safe from violence.
The death of two people following the football match has left many questioning the level of security at public events in Nigeria, and the need for increased vigilance to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
With tensions still high in Kano, the authorities are under pressure to act swiftly and decisively to ensure the safety of residents and bring those responsible for the killings to justice.
For now, the people of Kano are left to mourn the loss of two lives and to pick up the pieces from the devastation caused by the violence. The hope is that those responsible will soon face the full consequences of their actions.
