Ahmad Hamisu Gwale, Kano
On Saturday, at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, security personnel from Kano Pillars denied entry to accredited journalists.
Three journalists from different media houses were turned away while attempting to cover the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match between Kano Pillars and Niger Tornadoes.
According to eyewitnesses, a member of the Kano Pillars fans club insisted that the journalists purchase match tickets, despite identifying themselves as accredited media personnel.
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“I introduced myself and explained that I was there to cover the match, but the security personnel refused to grant me entry,” one journalist said.
The situation escalated when more members of the Kano State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) arrived, only to be met with hostility. However, after a heated exchange, some journalists were eventually allowed in, while others were forced to purchase tickets to gain entry.
Efforts to reach the Chairman of the Kano Pillars Fans Club for comments were unsuccessful. This incident raises concerns about the treatment of journalists in Nigerian sports and highlights the need for greater respect and cooperation between sports organizations and the media.
