A shocking incident occurred during the NPFL match between Barau FC and Katsina United, as Barau FC player stabbed in neck became the headline following a violent attack on the pitch. The horrifying event took place on Saturday at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina, shortly after Barau FC equalized in the 69th minute. The Barau FC player stabbed in neck incident has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed calls for improved security at Nigeria Premier Football League venues.
According to reports from the club, the victim, Nana Abraham, was brutally attacked by a pitch invader immediately after scoring the crucial equalizer that leveled the game at 1-1. Ahmad Gwale, the club’s Director of Media Operations, confirmed the details to TheCable, stating that “one person from the Katsina United bench or one of their fans” stormed onto the pitch and stabbed the player in the neck with what appeared to be a sharp object. The Barau FC player stabbed in neck case has now raised serious concerns over the safety of players and officials during NPFL fixtures.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the assailant’s attack happened so suddenly that neither security officials nor match stewards could intervene in time. Photographs and videos circulating on social media show the injured player lying on the pitch in visible pain, blood trickling from his neck while teammates and medical staff rushed to his aid. The Barau FC player stabbed in neck incident caused a temporary suspension of play, as both teams and officials scrambled to restore order and ensure the safety of other players.
The match resumed minutes later after Abraham was substituted and taken to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment. Gwale later confirmed that the player was receiving medical care and responding to treatment. He expressed shock and disappointment that such a violent act could take place during what was supposed to be a fair and competitive NPFL encounter.
This violent assault has once again brought to light the troubling issue of fan violence and poor security management in Nigerian football. Many stakeholders have condemned the act and urged the league management and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to take decisive action to prevent a recurrence. The Barau FC player stabbed in neck episode serves as a grim reminder of a similar case earlier this year, when Plateau United striker Vincent Temitope was also stabbed in the neck by a fan during a league match in Nasarawa.
Football enthusiasts across Nigeria have taken to social media to demand justice for Nana Abraham and to call for stiffer penalties against clubs whose supporters or staff engage in violent behavior. Analysts argue that such incidents tarnish the image of the Nigeria Premier Football League and discourage both sponsors and fans from supporting the sport.
As investigations continue, Barau FC has urged the league authorities to ensure that the perpetrator is identified and prosecuted. The club has also appealed for better security arrangements in all future NPFL games to protect players, referees, and fans alike. The Barau FC player stabbed in neck incident has sparked nationwide outrage and highlighted the urgent need for reforms to safeguard the integrity and safety of Nigerian football.