Video Emerges Showing Bruised Shooting Stars Players After Kano Pillars’ Fans Attack, Ahmed Musa Apologises

13 Oct 2025, 08:55 by Ernest Victor · Naija News

On Sunday, October 12, Kano Pillars supporters invaded the pitch and attacked Shooting Stars players and match officials at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, moments after a dramatic late equaliser ended the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clash 1-1.

Kano Pillars had led through Mustapha Jibrin’s early strike before Adams Mustapha stunned the crowd with a 94th-minute equaliser for the visitors. That goal triggered chaos, as furious home fans broke through security barricades and swarmed the pitch.

Footage from the live broadcast by Propel Sports and videos posted online captured scenes of supporters chasing referee Mohammed Tuta and his assistants, Bem Japhet, Shehu Isah, and Alfa Sadiq. The officials ran for safety as violence spread quickly across the field.

Security operatives, clearly outnumbered, tried to control the situation but soon resorted to firing tear gas to disperse the mob. Instead of calming the crowd, the gas worsened the situation as some fans threw the canisters back at officials and players.

Several Shooting Stars players, including Ismail Ayodele and Adams Agba’a, were reportedly injured in the attack. Later videos showed some of them nursing bruises and being attended to by medical staff.

On social media, 3SC Fans TV condemned the incident, calling for accountability and strong disciplinary action.

“This isn’t the kind of behaviour we should be spreading,” the group wrote. “Ismail Ayodele and Adams Agba’a were also hit by fans in the chaos that followed the final whistle. Violence has no place in this beautiful game. Fans can and must do better.”

Another statement from the fan group read, “Despite a spirited performance that earned a point in Kano, the aftermath was marred by unacceptable scenes, as our players were attacked by Kano Pillars fans for reasons best known to them. This kind of behaviour has no place in football. While we are not the league body, we strongly hope justice is served. This is not good for the image of the NPFL. Let’s protect the game.”

The NPFL board, in a statement signed by its Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, said it had “noted with concern the disturbing reports and viral video clips” from the fixture. The league body condemned “in the strongest terms any act of violence, intimidation, or misconduct directed at players, match officials, or fans,” adding that the matter was being reviewed and disciplinary measures would follow.

Kano Pillars, one of the most successful clubs in the country, has a history of disciplinary issues linked to fan behaviour. Since 2019, the club has been fined more than ₦36 million for crowd-related offences, including pitch invasions and attacks on officials.

Amid growing outrage, the club’s General Manager and former Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, issued an apology late Sunday night, describing the attack as “heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable.”

“I, Ahmed Musa, the General Manager of Kano Pillars Football Club, extend my deepest and most sincere apologies for the unfortunate, painful, and disgraceful incident that occurred during our game against Shooting Stars Sports Club on Sunday evening,” Musa’s statement began.

“What transpired against Shooting Stars is heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable. It does not represent the true values, identity, or proud history of Kano Pillars. This club has always stood for community, passion, and respect, values that must never be overshadowed by violence or indiscipline. As a club with deep roots and loyal supporters, we are expected to set an example of fairness and honour on and off the pitch. Sadly, today, we fell far short of that standard.”

He extended apologies to Shooting Stars players, coaches, and officials, as well as to the NPFL board and all football fans who witnessed the chaos.

“I know how painful it must have been to witness something so damaging to our game, and I am deeply, deeply sorry,” Musa said. “Violence has no place in football. It is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and goes against everything this beautiful sport stands for. Football is meant to unite, to inspire, to bring joy. When it turns into scenes of chaos and harm, we must not pretend it away, we must confront it head-on.”

He pledged that the club would cooperate fully with authorities to identify and punish those responsible.

“We understand that apologies alone are not enough. Words must be followed by action. We would take a huge step internally to ensure that something like this never happens again,” Musa assured.

In his message to the fans, the former Super Eagles captain urged them to let this serve as a lesson.

“To our loyal fans, I want to speak directly to you. Kano Pillars is a proud club with a rich legacy, and you are the heartbeat of this club. But true support is shown not through violence, but through respect, passion, and discipline. This must be a turning point for us,” he said.

Musa concluded by taking full responsibility for the incident and promised to help rebuild the club’s image.

“Once again, on behalf of Kano Pillars Football Club, I offer my most heartfelt and unreserved apology to everyone affected. To the NPFL, to Shooting Stars, to the referees, to the fans of Nigerian football, and to anyone who believes in the spirit of the game, we are sorry. I am sorry. We take full responsibility and will do everything necessary to restore trust, respect, and the true spirit of football in Kano and across Nigeria.”