A Nigerian referee simply identified as Haruna, was on Friday, in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, beaten to coma by some irate fans.
Reports say that the referee is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
Following a report by New Telegraph, the incident happened at the Lokoja Confluence Stadium in the final match of the maiden Kogi State FA Chairman’s Cup between Kogi United feeders team and Kabawa United.
The game was said to attract personalities from different works of life including representatives from the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), Nigeria Referees Association, (NRA), Football Association Chairmen from 36 states of the federation, Kogi State Government officials and many more.
Some irate fans of Kabawa United reportedly began trouble when they pounced at the referee accusing him of biased officiating.
Kogi United feeders team were leading their opponents 2-0 in the first 25 minutes of the first half, a development the visitors could not match as it was extended to 3-0.
Unsatisfied with the result of the match in the 40th minute, angry fans encroached into the field chasing the referee and other match officials, the report revealed.
Despite the presence of fully armed police officers, men of the vigilante, and other sister security agencies, they could not stop the fans from perpetuating the grievous act.
The report said that other officials escaped the mob attack, but the referee could not as he was beaten to coma before he was rushed to the hospital, while the game was subsequently abandoned in the first half.
Some football fans said this is the first of its kind in the history of Kogi State that a referee would be attacked in the presence of security personnel.
