NPFL: Confusion Trails Alleged Slitting of Barau FC Player’s Throat in Katsina

Confusion has trailed reports of an alleged stabbing of Barau FC player, Nana Abraham, during a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match against Katsina United. The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina. Barau FC said Abraham was attacked after the team equalised in the 69th minute of the game […]

Confusion has trailed reports of an alleged stabbing of Barau FC player, Nana Abraham, during a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match against Katsina United.

The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.

Barau FC said Abraham was attacked after the team equalised in the 69th minute of the game which ended 1-1.

The club’s media director, Ahmad Gwale, claimed the player was stabbed in the neck by a pitch invader shortly after the team equalised.

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Gwale said the attacker came from either the Katsina United bench or among the home supporters.

He said the assailant struck Abraham with what he described as “something like a sharp object,” forcing the game to be temporarily halted.

Images circulating online show the player bleeding around the neck while being attended to by teammates and medical officials.

Gwale confirmed that Abraham was substituted after the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment.

According to him, the assault created tension within the stadium, though the match later resumed under tight security.

The club further confirmed the attack in a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

However, Katsina United have dismissed the claims, insisting that no fan or club official attacked any Barau FC player during the game.

In a statement, the club said the reports “do not reflect what truly transpired,” adding that the atmosphere only became tense due to contentious officiating decisions.

The club explained that while emotions ran high, the situation was “managed within the confines of order and security.”

“Katsina United remains committed to professionalism, discipline, and fair play both on and off the field,” the statement read.

The club accused Barau FC of amplifying a “false narrative” and said it would leave the matter for the League Management Body to investigate.

Daily Trust reports that the latest incident follows a recent pattern of violence in the NPFL.

Last month, there was an attack on players and officials during a match at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, where fans of Kano Pillars assaulted players and match officials after a late equaliser by Shooting Stars (3SC) of Ibadan.

Following that incident, the NPFL slammed ₦9.5 million in fines on Kano Pillars, deducted three points and three goals, and indefinitely closed the stadium.

Prior to the Kano incident, Vincent Temitope, Plateau United striker, was also stabbed in the neck by an angry fan at the Lafia City stadium in Nasarawa.