The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has fined Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) the sum of N5 million and ordered the indefinite closure of the Lekan Salami Stadium to fans following violent scenes that erupted after their goalless draw with Ikorodu City FC in a Matchday 32 fixture.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported how enraged Shooting Stars supporters, infuriated by their team’s failure to secure a win at home, held players, coaches, referees, and journalists hostage for over an hour inside the Lekan Salami Stadium on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
Chaos broke out after the final whistle of the NPFL Matchday 32 fixture, which ended 0-0, dashing Shooting Stars’ hopes of closing in further on league leaders.
SaharaReporters learned that the NPFL Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday found Shooting Stars guilty on multiple counts, including failure to provide adequate security, poor control of supporters, and allowing the harassment of match officials and opposing team members.
The N3 million fine levied against the club is itemized as follows: N1 million for failing to secure the premises, N1 million for fan misconduct that resulted in the assault of Ikorodu City supporters, and another N1 million for throwing objects at officials and onto the pitch.
In addition, Shooting Stars are ordered to pay N2 million in damages to Ikorodu City after the visiting team’s bus was vandalised during the unrest.
The NPFL equally ordered that the Lekan Salami Stadium be closed to fans for the rest of the 2024/2025 season, which will likely dent the club’s morale and financial inflow.
Videos obtained by SaharaReporters had shown players and officials of Ikorodu City FC trapped in darkness inside the dressing room, relying on their phone flashlights for visibility after the stadium lights were allegedly turned off.
The distressing footage also captured voices of panic as those inside described being held hostage by angry Shooting Stars fans.
“I have heard similar stories before in the NPFL, but this is my first time experiencing it,” one visibly shaken official said in the video. “We are being held hostage right here at the Lekan Salami Stadium… the light has been switched off… the team bus has been vandalised.”
Speaking to SaharaReporters, Ikorodu City’s media officer, Samuel Bamisebi, confirmed that only the intervention of military personnel saved the situation from turning into a full-blown tragedy.
“We were trapped for almost 80 minutes before the military arrived and cleared the crowd. No injuries were recorded among our players and staff, but our fans were not so lucky. Their phones were stolen, the bus was destroyed, and one person sustained injuries,” he said.
Shooting Stars, currently fourth on the NPFL table with 48 points from 32 games, has been given 48 hours under Rule C26 to either accept the ruling or lodge an appeal. Ikorodu City, meanwhile, is just two points behind in fifth place, with a game in hand.