A stampede at the entrance of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom has left many injured.
The incident took place just before the match between the Super Eagles and the Chipolopo of Zambia as fans made their way into the stadium.
The Akwa-Ibom stadium was filled beyond its capacity of 30,000.
According to PUNCH, some of the football fans were beaten with heavy sticks by soldiers at the gate of the stadium, resulting in a stampede as people sought to escape being hit. A National Youth Service Corps member reportedly sustained injuries. Ambulances were said to have later arrived at the scene to convey injured persons and “unconscious” fans to the hospital.
Elkana Bala, state police public relations officer, confirmed the incident, saying: “It is confirmed that nobody died. But some persons were injured while struggling to gain access into the stadium. The injured persons were taken to hospital for medical attention.”