Chaos in Ibadan as 3SC Fans Attack Ikorodu City After Goalless Derby

The atmosphere at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan turned chaotic on Sunday after fans of Shooting Stars (3SC) held players and officials of Ikorodu City Football Club hostage following a goalless draw in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match-day 32 encounter.

According to eyewitness accounts and multiple reports, the aggrieved 3SC supporters, frustrated by the result, resorted to violence. They allegedly damaged the visitors’ team bus and injured several Ikorodu City fans. Veteran broadcaster Charles Anazodo revealed that the match referee was also manhandled in the post-match chaos.

“Fans and officials of Ikorodu City FC have been held hostage by 3SC fans since 7:30 pm when the game ended,” Anazodo posted on X. “Reports from Ibadan say the referee was manhandled, and the team bus of the away team was destroyed.”

The tension escalated further as all stadium lights were switched off, leaving the Ikorodu team, match officials, and others stranded inside the dressing room for over an hour.

Relief only came when the Special Adviser on Security to the Oyo State Governor arranged a military escort, which safely evacuated the Ikorodu City team and officials.

Sports pundit “Mike The Pundit” confirmed, “After spending precisely 80 minutes in the dressing room without lights, the Special Adviser provided a military escort for the away team to exit the stadium.”

Club director Suleiman Adebayo, popularly known as Pooja, confirmed the team’s safe departure. “Soldiers rescued Ikorodu City players and officials from Ibadan after the draw with Shooting Stars. Thank God for safety. It was hell,” he posted.

The result dealt a blow to 3SC’s continental hopes, leaving them in fourth place with 48 points, while Ikorodu City sit sixth with 46 points after 32 games.

Investigations into the incident are expected as concerns grow over fan violence in the Nigerian football league.