Intense tension bioke out on Saturday during a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match between Katsina United and Barau Football Club, after a Barau’s player, Nana Abraham, was attacked and left with a deep cut on his neck by angry fans of the home team.
The violence broke out minutes after Orji Kalu of Barau equalised the score in the 69th minute to make the match 1-1, which seemed to enrage certain Katsina United fans inside the stadium.
Barau FC, confirming the attack in a post on its official X handle, wrote:
“70’ The match is temporarily halted following an attack on Barau FC player, Nana Abraham. Katsina United | 1-1 | Barau FC
#MaliyaBoysTogetherForVictory #KatBar #NPFL26.”
A very disturbing picture shared by the team showed Nana Abraham bleeding from a visible neck wound, as officials and teammates struggled to control the chaos on the pitch.
The game, which was taking place in Katsina, was briefly suspended while security personnel struggled to re-establish order.
At the time this report was filed, neither Katsina United nor the NPFL management had released a statement.
Calls for immediate disciplinary action against the offenders and the club are mounting as a result of the attack, which has once again sparked worries about fan violence and inadequate security management in Nigerian football venues.
Similar Incident In Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano
This tragic incident comes only a month after a similar incident broke out in Kano at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
This occurred following a thrilling equaliser in the 94th minute by Shooting Stars (3SC) of Ibadan to secure a 1-1 draw with Kano Pillars in a Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 8 match.
According to sources, it was discovered that angry Kano Pillars fans flooded the ground quickly after the away team scored, aggressively attacking the referee, match officials and Shooting Stars players.
In an attempt to restore order, security personnel were compelled to use tear gas.
The Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) imposed severe penalties on Kano Pillars Football Club as a result of the violence, including a fine of ₦9.5 million, a deduction of three points and three goals, and an indefinite closure of Sani Abacha Stadium.
70′ The match is temporarily halted following an attack on Barau FC player, Nana Abraham.
Katsina United | 1-1 | Barau FC#MaliyaBoysTogetherForVictory #KatBar #NPFL26 pic.twitter.com/cd744zxCql
— Barau Football Club (@BarauFootball) November 8, 2025
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
