Barau FC Denies Player’s Death After Katsina United Crowd Violence

Barau FC has dismissed media reports claiming one of its players was killed during the violent incident that marred Saturday’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Week 12 game against Katsina United.

In a statement on Monday, the club’s president, Shawwal Barau I Jibrin, said none of their players died in the chaos and described such reports as false. He clarified that the team’s Ghanaian player, Nana Abraham, who sustained a neck injury, had been discharged from a private hospital in Kano after receiving treatment.

The violence erupted at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina when home fans invaded the pitch following Barau FC’s equaliser by Orji Kalu, which brought the score to 1-1.

Jibrin welcomed Abraham’s recovery and urged fans to remain peaceful, stressing that “football is a tool for promoting unity and should not be used to cause trouble.” He also praised the NPFL for the disciplinary actions taken against Katsina United, saying it would “serve as a deterrent against future occurrences.”

“We glorify Allah SWT that all the injured persons have been discharged, including Abraham, who had a cut on his neck… The news that one of our players was killed and the throat of another was slit was fake,” he said.

Following the incident, the NPFL imposed a ₦9 million fine on Katsina United for multiple rule breaches and ordered them to play their home matches behind closed doors at the New Jos Township Stadium. The club has been given 48 hours by the NFF to appeal or accept the sanctions.