1 week Ago By Guardian Nigeria
90-minute hostage crisis unsettling, says Aigbovo The management of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is still waiting for the match commissioner’s report to decide the culprits and appropriate punishment for those behind the fracas that marred the Week 32 league match between the home team, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan and Ikorodu City of Lagos. The game ended in a goalless draw at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, but players and officials of Ikorodu City were allegedly held hostage by 3SC fans irked by the setback the draw caused their team’s continental ambition. 3SC are currently fourth on the NPFL table behind leaders Remo Stars, Rivers United, and Abia Warriors.
Although the CAF Champions League is almost out of their each following the commanding positions held by Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are on 60 and 55 points respectively, 3SC can still overtake Abia Warriors for the CAF Confederation Cup as only two points separate both sides. Abia Warriors are on 50 points, while 3SC have 48 points. Ikorodu City also have an outside chance of qualifying for the continent as they have 46 points with four matches to go.
According to reports, several of the players sustained various forms of injury, while those who could, scaled fences to run for their lives. It added that Ikorodu City’s team bus was damaged, while the match referee was manhandled. A top NPFL official, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that the body would be better informed by the match commissioner’s report because he was present and witnessed everything that happened.
“All we have of the incident are social media reports, which we cannot rely on to decide the true situation of things. “Be assured that the NPFL will do the right thing as stipulated by the laws governing the competition,” the official said. Former Super Eagles goalkeeper and member of the 3SC squad that won the maiden CAF Cup in 1992, David Aigbovo, described the incident as a ‘show of shame,’ saying that Sunday’s violence not only endangered the lives of players, officials, and fans but also undermined the integrity of the league and damaged Nigeria’s reputation in the international football community.
Aigbovo queried: “Is it by force that a club must win all its home matches? What happened on Sunday was sad for the Nigeria league. It shows that many fans supporting clubs in the country are leaving in the past. I remain one of the biggest fans of 3SC, having spent part of my life playing for the club.
But that does not mean that I should be expecting the club to win all its home matches even when the club did not do well. In football, you win some and lose some. That is why it is called league matches.
” One of Ikorodu City’s directors, Suleiman Adebayo, who spoke with journalists described Sunday’s incident as ‘hell,’ saying, “Our fans and officials were held hostage by 3SC fans from 7.30 p.m.
when the game ended till about 9.00 p.m.
“Soldiers had to rescue them from Ibadan after the draw with Shooting Stars. Thank God for safety. It was hell.
” The Guardian learnt that after the game, the policemen at the stadium advised Ikorodu City FC to stay in the dressing room till the situation was brought under control. In a dramatic turn, soldiers had to storm the stadium, bringing an end to a tense 90-minute hostage situation. The swift military response ensured the safe rescue of the team, alleviating concerns for their well-being.
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