Lafia, Nigeria – Following a Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) match between Nasarawa United and Plateau United, a disturbing incident unfolded at the Lafia Township Stadium that highlighted the dire issue of inadequate security at sporting events. Witnesses described how the lack of proper security measures nearly resulted in the tragic death of Plateau United player Vincent Temitope, who was violently attacked by Nasarawa United supporters after the match.
According to reports, tensions escalated during the match, leading to supporters invading the pitch and assaulting Temitope, stabbing him in the neck. Despite Temitope’s standout performance during the game, scoring a goal and creating a penalty opportunity, some Nasarawa supporters viewed him as a threat to their team, sparking the violent incident.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the stadium’s security presence was severely lacking, with only a small number of police officers attempting to manage the thousands of fans in attendance. This deficiency in security allowed armed fans to easily breach the field and attack the players after the match concluded.
A source who witnessed the chaos explained that the intense atmosphere during the game escalated into threats and hostilities towards the visiting team, prompting Plateau United officials to quickly usher their players off the pitch to safety. Unfortunately, the meager security presence was unable to prevent the crowd from overrunning the field and carrying out the violent assault.
Plateau United’s Director of Media Operations, Yaksat Maklek, confirmed the attack on Temitope, attributing it to his exceptional performance on the field. Maklek disclosed that Temitope was promptly taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lafia for urgent medical attention and was reported to be in stable condition following treatment.
This alarming incident has reignited concerns about fan violence in Nigerian football, particularly at NPFL venues. It occurred shortly after Nasarawa United FC’s supporters were allowed back into the Lafia Township Stadium, despite a previous ban due to misconduct. The necessary conditions for improved security and fan behavior were evidently disregarded, leading to the unfortunate assault on Temitope.
In response to the incident, the Nasarawa State Police Command has pledged to investigate the security lapses that enabled the attack to occur. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of adequate security measures at sporting events to ensure the safety of players, officials, and spectators alike.