Nasarawa fan arrested for stabbing Plateau United player after NPFL match

DDM News

A Nasarawa United fan has been arrested for stabbing a Plateau United player, Vincent Temitope, during a post-match pitch invasion.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM), the incident occurred on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the Lafia Township Stadium in Nasarawa State, shortly after a Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) clash between both sides.

Temitope was stabbed in the neck by an enraged supporter after Nasarawa United defeated Plateau United 3–2 in a heated fixture.

The suspect, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was apprehended by police and is currently being held for investigation.

Rahman Nansel, spokesperson for the Nasarawa State Police Command, confirmed the arrest on Monday morning in a brief interview with SaharaReporters.

“The culprit was arrested, and he’s currently in custody for further investigation,” Nansel said.

The stabbing incident has sent shockwaves across the Nigerian football community, reigniting concerns about rising violence at NPFL matches.

Witnesses said Temitope became a target due to his impact on the game, which included scoring a goal and winning a penalty.

Although the player missed the penalty, his performance frustrated a section of the home supporters, who believed he almost influenced a comeback.

Despite Nasarawa United’s win, fans still poured onto the pitch in fury, storming towards Plateau United players immediately after the final whistle.

Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere as “tense and hostile” throughout the match, with security visibly overwhelmed from the onset.

“The match was very intense,” a fan told SaharaReporters.

“Home supporters began booing Temitope midway through the game and threatened to attack him once the match ended,” the eyewitness said.

According to reports, Plateau United officials advised their players to vacate the pitch immediately after the game, sensing possible unrest.

However, they were not quick enough to outrun the furious fans, who had already breached the pitch perimeter.

Security personnel at the stadium were reportedly too few to control the massive crowd.

Sources revealed that fewer than 20 police officers were deployed to the stadium, where thousands of fans had gathered.

This inadequacy in manpower allowed the crowd to overpower law enforcement with ease.

Another witness expressed frustration over the poor security arrangements.

“How can fewer than 20 officers control thousands of people?” the witness asked.

“It’s not possible. If enough security had been provided, this would not have happened.”

Following the attack, Plateau United’s Director of Media Operations, Yaksat Maklek, confirmed that Temitope was immediately rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lafia.

“He was treated immediately and is now in stable condition,” Maklek said.

The incident has once again exposed glaring lapses in crowd control and stadium safety in the Nigerian football league system.

More disturbingly, the violence came just a week after the NPFL lifted a stadium ban previously imposed on Nasarawa United fans.

That earlier punishment had been handed down due to similar incidents involving crowd misconduct and violence.

The ban was lifted ahead of a Matchday 12 fixture against Akwa United, following an appeal and assurances of improved security.

Nasarawa United’s Director of Media, Eche Amos, had issued a statement quoting NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi.

In that letter, the NPFL COO urged supporters to behave responsibly and warned the club to ensure a peaceful matchday atmosphere.

“We are pleased to invite our loyal supporters to return and cheer the team to victory in an orderly manner,” the statement read.

The club also pledged to work with the Nasarawa State Football Association to guarantee the safety of all participants.

However, Sunday’s incident has raised serious questions about the club’s commitment to those promises.

The swift breakdown of security at the stadium and the attack on Temitope suggest that adequate measures were never implemented.

The NPFL now faces mounting pressure to reintroduce sanctions against Nasarawa United and ensure long-term changes in its security policies.

Football analysts and fans have expressed disappointment and anger over the repeated failures to curb fan violence in Nigerian football.

Many believe that weak enforcement of disciplinary measures contributes to the frequency of these incidents.

A similar case occurred barely a week earlier at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, during a goalless Matchday 32 fixture between Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and Ikorodu City FC.

After the match ended in a draw, furious 3SC supporters took out their frustration by invading the pitch.

Players, coaches, referees, and journalists were held hostage inside the stadium for over an hour.

The chaos was reportedly triggered by disappointment over the team’s inability to secure a home win and climb closer to league leaders.

Following the incident, the NPFL’s Disciplinary Committee found Shooting Stars guilty on several counts.

These included failure to provide sufficient security, loss of control over fans, and allowing harassment of match officials.

The club was fined N5 million and their stadium was indefinitely closed to fans.

Both incidents point to a growing crisis of violence and impunity that threatens the integrity and safety of Nigerian football.

Repeated fan invasions, assaults, and disorderly conduct continue to plague the NPFL, with consequences that often seem temporary or reversible.

In many cases, bans are lifted without sufficient evidence of reform or improved security.

The stabbing of Vincent Temitope has added a grim new chapter to this recurring problem.

Football commentator Tunde Ayeni condemned the attack and the recurring lapses by the league and club officials.

“We’ve normalized this madness,” Ayeni said.

“Someone can stab a player, and yet there’s a chance nothing major will happen to the club,” he added.

Analysts say that unless firm, long-lasting sanctions are enforced, violence in Nigerian football will persist.

Some are calling for points deductions, extended stadium bans, and personal legal consequences for club officials who fail to ensure safety.

Others advocate for a nationwide football security reform, with standardized crowd management guidelines for all NPFL venues.

They also want better coordination between the NPFL, state police commands, and the Nigerian Football Federation.

For now, Temitope is recovering in the hospital, and his teammates remain shaken by the near-fatal attack.

The NPFL is expected to issue a statement and possibly announce disciplinary actions in the coming days.

But for many Nigerian football lovers, Sunday’s incident is yet another reminder that until security is taken seriously, tragedy is always one kick away.

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