Enyimba have become the latest club to be sanctioned for incidents at their home ground this season after the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) handed down heavy penalties following crowd trouble during their matchday 21 fixture against Barau FC.
In a statement on Friday, the NPFL confirmed that the Aba-based club had been charged for multiple breaches of its framework and rules arising from the 18 January 2026, encounter, which it said was marred by serious security lapses and misconduct by supporters.
The league said, ‘Enyimba have been charged for breaching the NPFL Framework & Rules in the course of their Matchday 21 fixture vs Barau FC on 18 January 2026. The People’s Elephant failed to provide adequate & effective security during the match, resulting in unauthorised persons gaining access to restricted areas in the stadium. Enyimba also failed to ensure proper conduct of their supporters, leading to the harassment of the match officials’.
The statement further detailed that the situation deteriorated after the final whistle, with supporters encroaching into restricted zones and detaining match officials for several hours.
The NPFL added, ‘Enyimba supporters further encroached restricted areas, thereby holding match officials hostage for some hours after the match. The misconduct of Enyimba supporters led to the loss of valuable items belonging to the match officials, an act capable of bringing the game to disrepute’.
As a result, Enyimba were fined a total of N5 million, broken down into N2 million for failing to provide adequate and effective security, N1 million for encroaching restricted areas, and N2 million for supporter misconduct and holding match officials hostage.
In addition to the financial penalties, the nine-time champions have been ordered to play their next three home matches behind closed doors. The club has been given 48 hours from the date of notice to appeal the sanctions.
Enyimba’s punishment follows similar disciplinary action against Remo Stars a day earlier, as the league continues its clampdown on crowd violence and security breaches.
The NPFL had charged the champions over incidents during their matchday 20 fixture against Ikorodu City on 14 January 2026, where it said poor security led to clashes between supporters, injuries to away fans and damage to vehicles.
In its ruling on Remo Stars, the NPFL cited harassment and intimidation of match officials, objects thrown onto the pitch causing repeated stoppages, and the presence of dangerous weapons inside the stadium. The club was fined a total of N7 million and ordered to play their remaining home matches at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan instead of their Ikenne ground, with a 48-hour window also provided for an appeal.
The sanctions imposed on Enyimba and Remo Stars add to a growing list of clubs punished this season, with Kano Pillars previously banished from their home ground in Kano to Katsina, while Katsina United are currently serving a reciprocal relocation. The NPFL has repeatedly stated its determination to enforce safety standards and protect match officials as part of efforts to safeguard the integrity of the competition.
