The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed severe sanctions on Kano Pillars following violent scenes that erupted during their Matchday 8 encounter with Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, on Sunday, October 12.
The match, which ended 1–1, descended into chaos after Kano Pillars fans invaded the pitch and attacked match officials, players, and staff of the visiting team moments after a dramatic late equalizer by 3SC.
Kano Pillars had taken the lead in the ninth minute through Mustapha Jibrin, and the home crowd appeared poised to celebrate victory. However, the atmosphere turned hostile in stoppage time when Adams Mustapha scored a last-gasp equalizer for Shooting Stars, sparking violent reactions from sections of the home supporters.
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In a Summary Jurisdiction Notice dated October 13 and signed by NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi, the league found Kano Pillars guilty of multiple breaches, including failure to provide adequate security, supporter misconduct, throwing dangerous objects, and assault on players and match officials.
According to the notice made available to the press, “Kano Pillars failed to provide adequate and effective security, which resulted in unauthorized persons gaining access to restricted areas and the field of play. The club also failed to ensure proper conduct of their supporters, which led to harassment and assault on the away team and match officials.”
As a result, the NPFL has deducted three points and three goals from Kano Pillars’ accrued tally for assaulting match officials.
Additionally, the club was fined a total of ₦4 million for multiple offenses—including inadequate security, throwing dangerous objects, supporter misconduct, and bringing the game into disrepute.
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The league further imposed a ₦2 million fine for the assault on Shooting Stars players and match officials and ₦1.5 million as compensatory damages of ₦250,000 each to the match officials. Kano Pillars were also fined an additional ₦2 million to cover treatment costs and damages for the affected players and officials.
In a significant punitive measure, the NPFL has ordered Kano Pillars to play their home matches in Katsina for the remainder of the season, or for at least 10 matches, until the club can guarantee adequate safety measures. The Sani Abacha Stadium will remain closed to the club’s home fixtures until further notice.
The club has also been directed to identify and produce the perpetrators of the violence, show proof of their prosecution, and submit a comprehensive matchday security plan to the NPFL within seven days.
Kano Pillars has 48 hours to either accept the ruling or file an appeal before the NPFL disciplinary committee.