By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
Violence, injuries, and hostage scenes marred a Nigeria Premier Football League clash in Ilorin before the league delivered sweeping punishment against Kwara United, including a ₦9 million fine, points deduction, and stadium banishment.
Supporters of the home side breached restricted areas immediately after Rivers United’s David Sholumade equalized in the 90+3 minute, canceling Mohammed Shamsudeen’s 32nd-minute opener. Eyewitnesses reported fans throwing chairs and bottled water at referee and assistant referees, alleging a foul on goalkeeper Suraju Ayeleso in the build-up to the goal.
Rivers United General Manager Okey Kpalukwu was injured during the incident, while match officials and the visiting team were trapped inside the stadium for hours amid security concerns.
Kwara United later condemned the violence and apologised to Rivers United, match officials, and other affected parties, distancing the club from the actions of the perpetrators and pledging cooperation with authorities.
The NPFL swiftly sanctioned Kwara United under its Framework and Rules for inadequate security, failure to control supporters, assaults causing bodily harm, unsporting behavior, and holding officials hostage. The club faces a ₦9 million total fine: ₦2m for poor security, ₦1m for supporter control failure, ₦2m for assaults on officials and Rivers United staff, ₦1m for unsporting conduct, ₦1m for hostage-taking, and ₦2m in compensatory costs.
Additional penalties include a three-point and three-goal deduction from Kwara United’s tally, banishment to play remaining home games at MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, and orders to identify assailants for arrest with compliance evidence required. The club has 48 hours to appeal.
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