Ekiti Government Cracks Down on Stadium Violence, Warns Troublemakers of Arrest
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| TA Sports: Dr Osetoba |
The Ekiti State Government has issued a stern warning to football fans and residents over rising concerns of crowd violence at match venues, declaring that anyone found engaging in hooliganism or related offences at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti will be arrested and prosecuted.
The warning follows recent incidents of crowd disturbances recorded in different league centres across the country, as well as intelligence reports suggesting that some disgruntled individuals were plotting to attack players and officials of the state-owned football clubs over match outcomes.
Speaking during a radio programme in Ado Ekiti, the Technical Adviser on Sports Development to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Dr Mrs Olusola Osetoba, said the government would not tolerate any form of violence, harassment, possession of arms or other illegal acts at the stadium.
Osetoba said the government received reports that certain individuals were threatening to attack coaches and players of Ekiti United FC and Ekiti Queens FC if the teams failed to win their home matches at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium by coming to the stadium with horse whips "Koboko" and "Pankere".
According to her, some of those allegedly behind the threats were unhappy over their failure to secure selection into the state teams during previous screening exercises and trials, while others were dissatisfied with the head coach of Ekiti United, Bolarinwa Idris, as well as some team officials and backroom staff.
She described such reactions as barbaric and unacceptable, stressing that sports should unite the people rather than divide them.
The Technical Adviser cited the disturbing experience of Ekiti United during their recent away fixture against Osun United in the Nigeria National League (NNL), where crowd trouble overshadowed the match, noting that Ekiti State would not follow the path of violence witnessed elsewhere.
Osetoba urged spectators to discard the “must-win-at-all-cost” mentality and instead embrace the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting match outcomes in good faith.
She emphasised that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Oyebanji, has invested significantly in sports development and infrastructure, including the maintenance and upgrading of facilities, to promote youth engagement and healthy competition.
The adviser also reminded fans that entry to league matches at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium is free of charge, making it unacceptable for anyone to repay the government’s gesture with disorderly conduct.
She further referenced the sanctions imposed on Ekiti Queens FC by the Nigerian Women Football League following crowd trouble during a league match against Edo Queens last year.
The sanctions included a banishment from their home ground and a fine of N2.5 million, a development Osetoba described as painful and avoidable.
According to her, the state is not prepared to suffer another banishment or financial penalty due to the actions of a few individuals.
She urged anyone aggrieved by team management decisions, player selection or technical issues to channel their complaints through appropriate and lawful means rather than resorting to violence.
The government, she maintained, remains committed to sustaining peace in sporting arenas across the state and ensuring that football matches are conducted in a safe and secure environment for players, officials and fans alike.
Security agencies, she added, have been placed on alert to deal decisively with any attempt to disrupt matches or cause harm to players and officials at the stadium.
Osetoba concluded by appealing to genuine football lovers to support the teams positively and uphold the reputation of Ekiti State as a peaceful and law-abiding sporting community.
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