Instances of insecurity in Nigerian football leagues has continued to raise concerns, with players and match officials facing safety risks both on and off the field. For instance, the northern region of the country is no longer immune to the wave of insecurity that has spread nationwide. The repercussions are twofold, as players face risks on and off the field, while stadium violence further tarnishes the sport’s reputation.
Just recently, former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, expressed his concerns about the deteriorating state of security in Nigerian stadiums, making it difficult for fans to enjoy local league matches without facing threats and intimidation from thugs.
Sani, who has been vocal about social issues affecting the country, spoke out about the alarming situation and called on the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to address the problem.
The former senator on his Twitter handle lamented the obstacles that fans encounter when trying to attend matches, comparing the present situation to the golden era of the 80s and 90s when visiting stadiums was a popular pastime for Nigerians.
He said, “I wanted to develop a habit of visiting our stadiums to watch our local league matches, as we used to do in the 80s and 90s. The problem is that to enter the stadium and come out, one has to settle thugs. And one is also advised to remove all valuables in the car while setting it in the parking lot. Concentration on watching these matches is difficult. I hope the NFF will do something about this.”
Sani’s remarks shed light on the pervasive issue of insecurity plaguing Nigerian stadiums, with fans often forced to pay bribes or face physical harm to gain access and ensure their safety. He emphasized that the current state of affairs not only undermines the enjoyment of the sport but also poses a threat to the overall fan experience.
As a former senator known for his advocacy work, Sani has consistently championed the rights of Nigerians and spoken out against societal challenges. His call for the NFF to take action reflects the growing concern among football enthusiasts and stakeholders who are increasingly dissatisfied with the current security measures in place.
However, while the NFF has yet to respond to Sani’s statement, it is anticipated that the organisation will face mounting pressure to address the security issues surrounding Nigerian stadiums. Fans and supporters hope that prompt action will be taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all attendees, allowing Nigerian football to regain its vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.
Similarly, an executive director (Operations) with SBM Ltd, Mr. Emmanuel Aihie said, “I’m involved in sports business no matter how brilliant the idea is, it is difficult to get participants to travel distance away from their homes as their parents are worried about herdsmen and kidnappers.
“We were working on an event to start in one of the Middle Belt states but as soon the Abuja prison was attacked, it impacted the programme. The sponsors are worried that if terrorists could brazenly attack the seat of government every other area is vulnerable. This is very frustrating, to say the least.”
Aihie said the corporate sponsors are not to be blamed as sports teams have been attacked on their way to events and individual players abducted in various parts of the country.
“Can we count the number of football teams that have been robbed or abducted along the Lagos-Benin Highway or along the Auchi-Okene-About axis? Let’s not even talk about the North. Right in the busy city of Warri, a former Super Eagles midfielder was hijacked, robbed, and held hostage.”
“The only way good enough is for the teams to go by air but how many can afford that in Nigeria,” he queried.
Sadly, the pervasiveness of insecurity has left players and their families apprehensive about traveling to distant locations for matches. The fear of attacks by herdsmen and kidnappers has caused a decline in participation, hindering the development of sports events across the country. Even sponsors are wary, citing recent incidents such as the brazen attack on the Abuja prison, which demonstrates that no area is exempt from vulnerability. The increasing number of football teams being robbed or abducted along major highways exacerbates concerns. Former Super Eagles midfielder, who fell victim to a hijacking and robbery in the bustling city of Warri, stands as a haunting reminder of the dangers players face.
Stadium violence Amplifies insecurity concerns
Inadequate security measures in Nigerian stadiums have fueled incidents of violence. Fans frequently resort to aggression, targeting visiting teams, officials, and even referees. In one distressing episode during the 2022/2023 NPFL season, two players from Nasarawa United were injured following an alleged attack by Plateau United fans in Jos. The violence spilled beyond the confines of the stadium, with irate fans blocking the exit of the Nasarawa United team bus and pelting it with stones, causing injuries to players. Similar incidents continue to tarnish the sport’s image, such as the brutal assault on referee Patience Nweke by J’ Atete FC players after a defeat against Ekiti United in the second-tier league (NNL). The incident shocked the Association of Nigerian Women in Sports (NAWIS) and left the referee with severe injuries.
Referee Nweke from Imo state was said to have slumped into a coma after she was allegedly assaulted and dehumanized by the savage players following their defeat at home to Ekiti United in a league game, leaving her with several cuts and head injuries.
NAWIS in a statement issued by its PRO, Oluwafunmike Kanjuni, said they could not confirm her state of health, but commended the proprietor of the club, Julius Atete who was at the said hospital to see for himself, the damage done by his irate players.
While waiting on the Police, the Nigeria Football Federation, and officials of NNL and Nigeria Football Referees Association, to comment on the ugly development; the leadership of NAWIS summarily condemned this act of barbarism and savagery taken too far.
NAWIS, therefore, demands that: “The Police who were on duty at the match venue, should without further delay, arrest all the players and club officials that attacked the helpless woman; and make them face charges of assault and attempted murder as contained in the laws of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“That the Club, NFF, NNL, and NRA must take immediate steps, within the framework of their statutes and rule books, investigate and sanction the culpable players/officials; and make their findings/sanctions public.
“The Nigeria Football Federation, governing bodies of the various leagues, and the Police should rework the security provisions at match venues, to minimize to the barest minimum, if not completely erase the incessant attacks met on match officials.”
while on duty, as witnessed recently, and make match venues across the country safer,” the statement read.
It could be recalled that as part of punitive measures to checkmate hooliganism in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, the league organisers, Interim Management Committee, IMC have in the past weeks deducted 3 points and 3 goals including severe fines to clubs who failed to control their fans or did not comply with the rules of the game.
During the 2022)2023 season, Wikki Tourists became the third to face points deduction for the violent conduct of fans in the course of a fixture following a ruling by the league body
In a Summary Jurisdiction Notice signed by Davidson Owumi, the Head of Operations of the Interim Management Committee (IMC), the club faced a monetary fine totalling ₦2.5m, three points and three goals deduction, and closure of their home stadium to fans for the rest of the season.
This followed a review of the findings of the official reports for the MatchDay 13 fixture between Wikki Tourists and Bayelsa United on April 9, 2023.
Wikki Tourists was found in breach of Rule B8.21, Rule C11, B13.52, and B13.18 of the NPFL Framework and Rules. Wikki was also ordered to make a compensatory payment totaling ₦1m to the four-match officials at ₦250,000 for each.
On its part, the IMC has applied punitive measures to clubs that compromise the security of visiting teams.
And as part of measures to tackle insecurity at football matches, chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, in May, agreed to cooperate and collaborate more in the interest of safety and security at all football matches in the country.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the NFF president, Ibrahim Gusau, praised NSCDC officials for providing safety and security at football grounds.
He said, “Let me start by commending you for the immense cooperation that the NFF and the entire Nigeria Football fraternity have been enjoying from the officers and men of NSCDC over the years. We have decided to come here because of the critical nature of our relationship, to underscore the professionalism, diligence, and sense of responsibility of your officers, and to seek avenues for even greater cooperation and collaboration in the interest of Nigeria Football.
“We have continued to receive positive reports on your officers and men from venues of football matches in the country. Before I became NFF President, I was chairman of the NFF Security Committee as well as a member of CAF Security Committee, and we enjoyed the support and professional service of NSCDC officers during our international matches.”
Responding, the NSCDC boss assured the NFF president of greater cooperation and collaboration between the two organisations.
He said, “We welcome the gesture of greater collaboration because we appreciate the power of football. Just recently, we had our Inter-Directorate Sports Competition in which football was the star attraction. Our officers and men will always be available to provide safety and security at venues of football matches across Nigeria.”
With more of such collaborations between the football authorities and relevant stakeholders, it is expected that the issue of insecurity in Nigeria’s football leagues will be a thing of the past, thereby providing an enabling environment for corporate sponsors to invest and ensure the growth and overall development of football in Nigeria.
Authorities must address these issues promptly, restoring a safe and enjoyable environment for Nigerian football to flourish once again.
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