Kano Pillars Fans Almost Killed Me - NTA Cameraman

The NTA reporter who alongside his cameraman were attacked by irate fans of Kano Pillars during a week 34 Nigeria Professional Football league game against Kaduna United at the Kaduna Township Stadium has revealed the ordeal he suffered in the hands of the away team management and fans.

Ameen Yahaya who was on assignment to cover the game for the Nigeria Television Authority said: “My cameraman was advised by the chairman of Kaduna United, Hon Sabo Babayaro, to leave the camera stand as preventive measures because the situation was
already tense.

“But as he was coming down from the stand just in front of the VIP stand, where Pillars management was seated he was attacked and the camera seized for over 20 minutes.

“We had a scuffle with them to give it back to us. I suffered a cut in between my thumb,if not for the kind nature of the media officer of Kano Pillars who pleaded with them to return it back, they were hell bent on going away with it.

“At the end after trying unsuccessfully to remove the tape,the camera was destroyed beyond repairs. We've been covering games but we have never been attacked. iFf not for Babayaro they would have lynched us.”

Meanwhile, the cameraman Garba Saidu popularly known as Papa Gee said: “Aside the bodily harm and slaps that I was subjected to by the fans and some of their management, my camera was severely destroyed beyond repairs.

“I choose to come down via the VIP stand because I thought it will be safer for me,but I was wrong,I thank God am still alive.”

Garba Saidu was attacked by the away team for fear that he has filmed clips of the team’s fans scaling the stadium fence,destroying roofs of the stadium shops plus damaging the perimeter fencing and throwing stones on the pitch during the game.

He however insist he has clips of the said barbaric act from the away fans.