NPFL match turns bloody as football fan slits player’s throat over equalising goal

Chaos broke out on Saturday during a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match between Katsina United and Barau Football Club after a shocking act of violence left Barau’s player, Nana Abraham, with a deep cut to his neck.

The incident occurred shortly after Barau’s Orji Kalu netted a 69th-minute equaliser to bring the scoreline to 1-1 — a moment that appeared to anger sections of the home supporters.

Barau FC confirmed the incident via its official X handle, posting:
“70’ The match is temporarily halted following an attack on Barau FC player, Nana Abraham. Katsina United | 1-1 | Barau FC#MaliyaBoysTogetherForVictory #KatBar #NPFL26.”

Just a minute earlier, the club had celebrated the leveller with another post that read:
“69’ Goal Orji Kalu level the scores.Katsina United | 1-1 | Barau FC.”

A disturbing photograph obtained by SaharaReporters shows Abraham bleeding from a neck wound while officials and teammates struggled to calm the situation on the pitch.

The game, played in Katsina, was temporarily suspended as security personnel moved in to restore order. There had been no official comment from the NPFL management or Katsina United at the time of filing this report.

The assault has once again raised serious concerns about recurring fan violence and inadequate security measures at Nigerian football grounds. Calls are mounting for disciplinary action against the attackers and the club.

This latest incident comes barely a month after a similar outbreak of violence in Kano, during a fixture between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars (3SC) of Ibadan. That match ended 1-1 after a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser from the visiting side sparked an invasion of the pitch by angry home fans, who attacked the referee and players.

Security forces were forced to fire teargas to disperse the crowd.

Following that violence, the NPFL imposed stiff penalties on Kano Pillars — including a ₦9.5 million fine, a three-point and three-goal deduction, and an indefinite closure of the Sani Abacha Stadium.

The decision, outlined in a document titled “FORM 16: Summary Jurisdiction Notice” and signed on October 13, 2025, by NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi, found the club guilty of several breaches of the league’s rules and regulations.

(SAHARA REPORTERS)