Nasarawa United Supporter Arrested by Police for Attacking a Plateau United Player
After Plateau United player Vincent Temitope was hurt during a pitch invasion at the Lafia Township Stadium on Sunday, the Nigeria Police Force reported that a Nasarawa United supporter had been arrested.
“The individual has been taken into custody and is currently undergoing further investigation,” Nasarawa State Police Command spokesperson DSP Rahman Nansel told reporters in a statement on Monday.
This alarming incident happened following a hotly contested game in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), in which Nasarawa United won 3-2.
After Temitope scored a goal and missed a penalty, some Nasarawa supporters vented their annoyance at him, accusing him of being responsible for the game’s seeming change of momentum.
Witnesses expressed grave worries about the stadium’s security, pointing out that there were only 20 police officers on duty to oversee a crowd of thousands. After the final whistle, spectators were able to rush the field due in part to the absence of adequate security measures.
Throughout the game, the atmosphere was tense, according to one spectator, who also mentioned how Plateau United officials swiftly removed their players from the field, but things quickly got out of control when fans flooded the field, causing chaos.
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Temitope was stabbed in the neck during the invasion and was taken right away to the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lafia, where he was given emergency care. Yaksat Maklek, Director of Media Operations at Plateau United, has stated that the player’s condition has stabilized and that he is reacting favorably to therapy.
The necessity for clubs and local authorities to take proactive measures to safeguard the safety and security of players, officials, and spectators alike has been brought to light by this tragedy, which has rekindled crucial conversations about safety and security measures at football stadiums in Nigeria.
It should be noted that this incident happened soon after the NPFL lifted a ban on Nasarawa United supporters that had been put in place because of an earlier violent incident. The club was expected to improve security and encourage proper fan conduct during games in order for the suspension to be lifted.
