RismadarVoice Reporters
January 25, 2026
Enyimba International FC have become the latest club to be sanctioned by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) this season after being handed heavy penalties over crowd trouble at their home ground during their matchday 21 fixture against Barau FC.
In a statement, the NPFL confirmed that the Aba-based club was charged for multiple breaches of its Framework and Rules arising from the encounter played on January 18, 2026, citing serious security lapses and supporter misconduct.
According to the league, Enyimba failed to provide adequate, effective security, allowing unauthorised persons to gain access to restricted areas of the stadium.
“Enyimba have been charged for breaching the NPFL Framework & Rules in the course of their Matchday 21 fixture vs Barau FC on January 18, 2026,” the statement read.
“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 NPFL said the situation worsened after the final whistle, with supporters invading restricted zones and detaining match officials for several hours.
“Enyimba supporters further encroached restricted areas, thereby holding match officials hostage for some hours after the match,” the league added.
“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, the nine-time champions were fined a total of ₦5m, comprising ₦2m for failure to provide adequate security, ₦1m for encroachment into restricted areas, and ₦2m for supporter misconduct, including the detention of match officials.
In addition to the financial penalties, Enyimba have been ordered to play their next three home matches behind closed doors.
The club has also been given 48 hours from the date of the notice to file an appeal against the sanctions.
Enyimba’s punishment comes barely a day after Remo Stars were similarly sanctioned as the NPFL intensified its clampdown on crowd violence and security breaches across the league.
The league had charged the champions over incidents during their matchday 20 fixture against Ikorodu City on January 14, 2026, where poor security allegedly 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.
Remo Stars were fined ₦7m, ordered to play their remaining home matches at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, instead of their Ikenne ground, with a similar 48-hour window provided for appeal.
The sanctions imposed on Enyimba and Remo Stars add to a growing list of punished clubs this season. Kano Pillars were earlier banished from their home ground in Kano to Katsina, while Katsina United are currently serving a reciprocal relocation order.
