Ganduje, three deputy governors take refuge as police disperse unruly Kano Pillars fans with teargas – TheNigerialawyer

Security officials had to resort to the use of teargas to
disperse rampaging Kano Pillars fans on Sunday at the Ahmadu Bello
Stadium in Kaduna.

This was after their team defeated Niger Tornadoes 4-3 on
penalty kicks after a goalless draw during the regulation time of
the men’s competition final match of the 2019 Aiteo Cup.

But there were many after-effects, with dignitaries present for
the match having to take cover as the effect of the teargas created
a state of pandemonium.

Those affected include the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi
Ganduje, and the deputy governors of Niger (Muhammed Ketso), Kano
State (Nasiru Gawuna) and Nasarawa State (Emmanuel Akabe).

There were many other dignitaries affected by the teargas, as
well as an unidentified player who was driven away in an ambulance
and several fans who passed out.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youths and
Sports Development, Olusade Adesola, even had the windscreen of one
of his official cars damaged during the melee.

NAN reports that it had all started immediately after the match
had ended and Kano Pillars fans broke the barricade to enter the
pitch in an attempt to celebrate with their players.

In the attempt to stop them and prevent them from disrupting the
trophies’ presentation ceremony, the fans clashed with the security
men.

But inappropriate crowd control measures, which included
manhandling and the use of sticks by members of the local security
group, saw the Kano Pillars fans fighting back.

The fans regrouped with the assistance of many of their
colleagues, who could not gain entry into the stadium for the match
earlier, to attack the security men.

They went on the rampage, destroying billboards, pitch panels,
posters and all other objects within sight.

The use of teargas, however, put them under control, as they
were chased out by the teargas and a reinforcement of the security
personnel.

However, thousands of spectators who had turned out in their
large numbers left the stadium in tears.

Presentation of medals and trophies later took place in a
stadium that was by now near-empty after calm had returned to the
venue.

It was a sharp contrast to the massive crowd which turned out
for the game.

(NAN)

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