Nigerian police assault football players in Abuja after an NNL match, leaving ex-Remo Stars player Olamilekan Adams injured

Men of the Nigeria Police have assaulted former Remo Stars midfielder Olamilekan Adams, a club media officer, and a Sporting Supreme FC player following a Nigeria National League match in Abuja.

Also read: 2026 World Cup Prize Money Set at $655 Million

The incident occurred last Wednesday after Sporting Supreme FC lost 1–0 to Bichi First FC of Kano at the Bwari Stadium.

The assaulted individuals included Olamilekan Adams, Sporting Supreme FC media officer Nelson Mobougwu, and one other player of the Abuja-based club.

They were reportedly mistaken for unruly fans after protests erupted late in the match.

Tension escalated in the 89th minute following a controversial officiating decision.

The game ended abruptly as police officers fired tear gas to disperse protesting supporters.

A video later circulated online showed Adams being manhandled by armed police officers.

Adams had returned from Europe and attended the match to support his former club.

“I tried to tell them he was a player, not a fan,” Adams told The PUNCH.

“They started beating me with guns and sticks,” he said.

Adams said police officers continued the assault after taking them to a police station.

“They beat us again at the station. They almost killed us,” he said.

He confirmed that Sporting Supreme FC management secured their release.

The club also took the victims to hospital for medical evaluation.

Media officer Nelson Mobougwu corroborated Adams’ account.

He said police officers could not produce evidence linking him to any disturbance.

“They started hitting Adams with sticks and gun butts,” Mobougwu said.

Mobougwu said he sustained injuries and required further hospital scans.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Federal Capital Territory, Josephine Adeh, acknowledged initial inquiries.

She promised to respond but had not provided an official statement as of filing time.

The incident adds to a troubling history of police brutality involving Nigerian footballers.

In October 2024, former Super Falcons player Maureen Mmadu was arrested and assaulted in Anambra State.

In 2020, Remo Stars defender Tiyamu Kazeem was killed by a SARS officer in Ogun State.

Also read: 2026 World Cup Prize Money Set at $655 Million

In 2016, Shooting Stars player Joseph Izu was also killed during a military operation in Rivers State.