A Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clash between Katsina United and Barau FC was abruptly halted on Saturday after a Barau player, Nana Abraham, was attacked by frustrated home fans
The incident came minutes after Barau’s Orji Kalu scored a 69th-minute equaliser to level the game at 1-1, sparking anger among some Katsina United supporters.
Abraham, who played a key role in the goal, was reportedly chased onto the pitch and assaulted, sustaining a deep cut to his neck. Images from the scene showed the player bleeding while teammates and officials intervened to stop the attack.
Barau FC confirmed the incident on their official X account, announcing that the match had been temporarily suspended.
“70’ The match is temporarily halted following an attack on Barau FC player, Nana Abraham. Katsina United | 1-1 | Barau FC,” the club posted.
Security personnel were deployed to regain control of the stadium and restore order. At the time of reporting, neither NPFL officials nor Katsina United had issued an official statement regarding the incident.
The attack has reignited concerns over fan violence in Nigerian football. Just a month ago, Kano Pillars were fined ₦9.5 million, docked three points, and faced a stadium closure after supporters invaded the pitch during a match against Shooting Stars of Ibadan.
Football authorities and stakeholders continue to call for stricter sanctions and enhanced security measures to curb violence and protect players during league matches.
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