Ahmed Musa: We'll prosecute Kano Pillars' fans who assaulted referees against 3SC

Ahmed Musa, the general manager of Kano Pillars FC, has vowed to identify and prosecute the individuals who assaulted match officials and players of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) during their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match on Sunday.

Some irate fans invaded the pitch and attacked the referees shortly after 3SC scored a late equaliser in the match held at the Sani Abacha stadium in Kano.

Mustapha Jibrin had given Pillars an early lead in the ninth minute. But deep into the added time of the second half, Adams Mustapha equalised for Shooting, and the home crowd became hostile.

Some social media clips of the incident show the pitch invaders assaulting the referees with missiles and punches. A handful of 3SC players were also injured by the assailants.

Security operatives had to use teargas before the invaders were dispersed, and their victims could be led to safety.

In a statement, Musa apologised for the conduct of the fans, describing it as an “unfortunate, painful, and disgraceful incident”.

He said the action “does not represent the true values, identity, or the proud history of Kano Pillars”, adding that the club “fell far short of that standard” on Sunday.

“I tender an unreserved apology to the players, coaches, officials, and supporters of Shooting Stars Sports Club, to the match referees and league officials who were caught in this terrible situation, to the Nigeria Premier Football League board and its partners at GTI, to the league organisers, and to every football fan across Nigeria and beyond who watched these scenes with anger, shock, and disappointment,” the statement reads.

“This must be a turning point for us. We must remind the world that our love for this club can be powerful without being destructive, that our passion can lift its image, not stain it.”

Musa was made the club’s general manager in July.