Stadium violence: Kwara United fined ₦9m, loses three points; banished to Abeokuta

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed a total fine of ₦9 million on Kwara United and banished the club from Ilorin following security breaches and crowd violence during their Matchday 22 rearranged fixture

The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Rashidi Yekini Mainbowl, Ilorin, where the Ilorin-based side faced Rivers United. The match ended 1-1.

In a statement released under the NPFL Framework and Rules, the league body charged Kwara United with failing to provide adequate and effective security, which resulted in unauthorized persons gaining access to restricted areas.

The club was also found culpable for failing to ensure proper conduct of its supporters, leading to the harassment and injury of match officials and officials of Rivers United.

According to the NPFL, supporters of Kwara United invaded restricted areas and assaulted match officials as well as Rivers United officials, causing bodily harm. The league described the acts as unsporting behaviour that brought the game into disrepute.

For the breaches, the NPFL fined the club ₦2 million for inadequate security and ₦1 million for failure to control supporters. An additional ₦2 million was imposed for the assault on match officials and Rivers United officials, alongside ₦1 million for unsporting conduct.

The club was further fined ₦1 million for holding match officials and Rivers United officials hostage for several hours after the match, and ₦2 million as compensatory costs for treatment and damages sustained by the affected officials.

Beyond the financial sanctions, the league deducted three points and three goals from Kwara United’s accrued tally for the assault on match officials — a significant blow to their league standing.

In addition, Kwara United has been ordered to play their remaining home matches at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, effectively banishing the club from its Ilorin base for the rest of the season.

The club has also been directed to identify supporters involved in the assault for arrest and prosecution, with evidence of compliance to be submitted to the league.

Kwara United has 48 hours from the date of notice to appeal the sanctions.