The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that a Nasarawa United supporter is in custody after he stabbed Plateau United player Vincent Temitope in the neck after a pitch invasion in Lafia on Sunday.
The stabbing occurred after hosts Nasarawa United defeated Plateau United 3-2 in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match at the LafiaTownship Stadium, in which Temitope scored one of the visitors’ goals.
The suspect, whose name has not yet been made public, was taken into custody for his role in the bloody post-match attack on the visiting team.
According to Sahara Reporters, the Nasarawa State Police Command, Rahman Nansel, confirmed the arrest on Monday, saying: “The culprit was arrested, and he’s currently in custody for further investigation.”
Despite the home team’s victory, some Nasarawa fans stormed onto the pitch and assaulted Temitope because of his impressive performance and goal against their team.
Apart from his goal, Temitope also earned a penalty, which he later missed.
Nasarawa United are in a battle to avoid relegation as they are 17th, two points adrift of safety.
Incidentally, Nasarawa United had previously had three points deducted by the NPFL for similar infractions, although the Nigeria Football Federation restored the points upon appeal.
Plateau United’s Director of Media Operations, Yaksat Maklek, confirmed the attack and stated that the player was quickly rushed to the hospital.
“He was taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lafia where he was treated immediately and now he is fine. He is in stable condition,” Maklek said.
The incident happened just a week after the NPFL board lifted a previous stadium ban on Nasarawa United fans, who had earlier been penalised for similar acts of violence.
The approval, which allowed fans to return from matchday 12 against Akwa United, came with a stern warning from the NPFL leadership demanding improved security and fan behaviour.
The Nasarawa United incident is the second such case in the NPFL in recent days, following the locking up of Ikorodu City players and assault on match officials by Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) fans in Ibadan on April 6.
In the aftermath, the NPFL fined 3SC N5 million and ordered the indefinite closure of the Lekan Salami Stadium to fans.
