In a shocking incident at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, fans of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) held players and officials of Ikorodu City FC hostage after a goalless draw in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). The violent outburst, which unfolded on Sunday evening, resulted in the vandalization of the visiting team’s bus and injuries to one of their officials.
The match, part of the ongoing 2024/2025 NPFL season, ended in a tense 0-0 draw, a result that frustrated the home fans, who were hoping for a victory. The enraged supporters expressed their disappointment by hurling objects onto the pitch, but the chaos escalated when they locked the Ikorodu City players and officials inside their dressing room.
The tension inside the dressing room was palpable. According to reports and videos circulating on social media, the Ikorodu City players and officials were trapped in the dark, relying on mobile phone flashlights for light after stadium authorities allegedly cut the power supply. In one video, an official of Ikorodu City was heard describing the shocking situation.
“I have heard similar stories before in the NPFL, but this is my first time experiencing it,” the official’s voice could be heard trembling in disbelief. “We are being held hostage right here at the Lekan Salami Stadium after Ikorodu City forced Shooting Stars into a goalless draw. We are locked inside the dressing room. The lights have been switched off, and we can’t leave. The players are using their phones for light, and our bus has been vandalized.”
This disturbing scene highlights the growing concerns over the safety and security of players and officials during Nigerian football matches. It also underlines the extent of frustration felt by fans, particularly when their team fails to deliver a desired result.
The frustration of the Shooting Stars fans did not end in the dressing room. After locking the Ikorodu City team inside, the mob proceeded to attack the visiting team’s bus, which was seen visibly damaged in several videos. The glass windows of the bus appeared shattered, and parts of the vehicle were badly broken.
The violence did not stop there, as reports indicated that one of the Ikorodu City officials was injured during the chaos. Though the official’s identity remained undisclosed at the time of this report, it was clear that the attack had left a deep impact on the visiting team’s morale and safety. Local authorities have yet to release an official statement about the nature of the injuries sustained.
The actions of the Shooting Stars fans were met with widespread condemnation. Football fans, players, and officials alike have called for better security measures at stadiums to prevent future occurrences of violence. While the cause of the mob’s anger was the team’s failure to win, the violent reaction is a troubling reflection of the deep frustrations that often spill over into harmful actions.
This incident is not an isolated one. Over the years, incidents of violence and unrest have marred Nigerian football, with stadiums across the country often becoming battlegrounds for frustrated fans. In the past, there have been reports of fans attacking players, referees, and even opposing supporters in the heat of the moment. The lack of adequate security, combined with the passionate yet sometimes volatile nature of football fans, often leads to dangerous situations like the one seen in Ibadan.
In this particular case, the frustration of the Shooting Stars fans can be traced back to their team’s inability to secure a win on home turf. With the team sitting 4th in the league standings with 48 points from 32 games, a victory over Ikorodu City, who are closely trailing with 46 points from 31 matches, was seen as crucial. However, the goalless draw left fans feeling disillusioned and angry, and the violent outburst followed immediately after the match ended.
The incident has raised serious questions about the role of stadium security in maintaining order during matches. Reports indicate that the chaos could have been prevented if there had been adequate security personnel to control the fans’ emotions. The ease with which the fans managed to trap the Ikorodu City team inside the dressing room and vandalize their bus highlights significant gaps in stadium security protocols.
Football clubs, stadium authorities, and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) must urgently address the issue of fan violence in Nigerian football. While passionate support for local teams is an integral part of the sport, it must be expressed in ways that ensure the safety of all involved – players, officials, and supporters.
The draw left Shooting Stars with 48 points from 32 games, maintaining their position in 4th place in the NPFL standings. Despite their disappointing performance at home, they are still in a competitive position as the season nears its conclusion. Meanwhile, Ikorodu City, with 46 points from 31 matches, continues to trail closely behind, and their draw in Ibadan has kept their chances of a top-four finish alive.
However, the events that transpired off the pitch have overshadowed the match itself. The growing culture of violence in Nigerian football not only undermines the integrity of the game but also discourages potential fans and sponsors from fully investing in the sport. This is a worrying trend that must be addressed urgently if Nigerian football is to thrive.
The incident has sparked outrage across social media, with many Nigerians calling for severe consequences for those responsible for the violence. Fans, players, and analysts have stressed the need for football clubs to take stronger action against violent behavior in stadiums. There have been calls for increased fines, suspensions, and even stadium bans for clubs whose supporters engage in violent conduct.
Furthermore, some have suggested that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) take a more active role in enforcing stricter security regulations at all NPFL matches. Enhanced training for security personnel, the installation of better surveillance systems, and more stringent fan behaviour codes could help reduce the chances of such incidents occurring in the future.
