Fans of Shooting Stars FC in Ibadan held Ikorodu City players and officials hostage after a goalless draw in the NPFL derby. The incident led to property damage and injuries, with the team only released after an 80-minute standoff, escorted by military personnel.
In a shocking turn of events, fans of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) held players and officials of Ikorodu City hostage following a goalless draw in the highly anticipated Southwest derby at Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan. The tense atmosphere escalated after the match ended with neither team finding the back of the net, leading to chaotic scenes as 3SC fans confronted the visiting team.
Reports from the scene indicated that the Ikorodu City team bus was vandalized, and several of their traveling supporters sustained injuries during the fray. In a particularly alarming twist, veteran broadcaster Charles Anazodo confirmed that the referee of the match was physically attacked by the unruly fans.
"The team and officials have been held hostage since 7:30 pm," Anazodo tweeted. "The team is huddled in the dressing room, with all lights switched off."
It took nearly 90 minutes before the team was escorted to safety, thanks to military intervention provided by the Oyo State government. Suleiman Adebayo, a director at Ikorodu City, described the situation as "hell" but confirmed that the team had finally left the stadium.
This latest incident highlights the growing concern over fan violence in Nigerian football, with authorities now under pressure to enforce stricter measures to prevent such occurrences. Meanwhile, the draw leaves 3SC in fourth place in the league, still hoping for a spot in continental competitions, while Ikorodu City remains just behind in sixth.
