Ch∆os As Kwara United Fans Att∆ck Match Officials, Hold Rivers United Players Hostage After Late Equaliser
Chaos As Kwara United Fans Attack Match Officials, Hold Rivers United Players Hostage After Late Equaliser
Sources at the stadium said the situation quickly spiralled out of control as security personnel struggled to contain the crowd.
Violence erupted on Wednesday at the end of a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter involving Kwara United and Rivers United after angry home supporters attacked match officials and prevented visiting players from leaving the stadium following a dramatic late equaliser.
SaharaReporters gathered that tensions escalated after Rivers United forward, David Sholumade, scored a stoppage-time goal in the 90+3 minute to cancel out an earlier strike by Kwara United striker, Mohammed Shamsudeen, who had given the home side the lead in the 32nd minute.
Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that immediately after the final whistle, furious fans invaded restricted areas and descended on the referee and assistant referees, accusing them of allowing a controversial goal that they claimed should have been disallowed.
The supporters alleged that Kwara United goalkeeper, Suraju Ayeleso, was fouled in the build-up to Rivers United’s equaliser. Protesters were seen throwing chairs, punches and bottled water at match officials while shouting angrily over the decision.
Sources at the stadium said the situation quickly spiralled out of control as security personnel struggled to contain the crowd.
SaharaReporters learned that enraged supporters also laid siege outside the stadium’s main bowl for more than 30 minutes after the match, waiting for the match officials as well as Rivers United players and team officials to exit the facility.
The visiting team was effectively trapped inside as tensions remained high.
Witnesses blamed the escalation on inadequate security deployment, noting that fewer than 20 police officers were reportedly on ground to manage an estimated crowd of about 5,000 spectators.
“The security presence was too small for a match of this magnitude. The policemen were overwhelmed,” a source familiar with the incident said.
As of the time of filing this report, there were no confirmed reports of fatalities, although the extent of injuries sustained by match officials or players remained unclear.
The NPFL organisers and security authorities are yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, which is likely to raise fresh concerns about crowd control, stadium safety and enforcement of league regulations in Nigerian football.
