Safety Babes Clinch 5th Straight Handball Title, Shooters Claim Men’s League

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) teams — Safety Shooters and Safety Babes, were crowned champions of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, following the finale at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Institute of Sports, Lagos.

The league started in Benin City with a first phase and ended in Lagos.

For Safety Shooters, It was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches.

Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant female side.

No team has ever won five consecutive titles in the history of the Nigeria Handball Premier League

In the Men category, Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2. Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.

Rima Strikers, who pushed the champions for much of the season, ended in second place with 52 points, despite losing 27–26 to Correction Boys in a tightly contested match.

COAS Shooters of the Nigeria Army, finished third with 51 points, closing the campaign with a fourth defeat but maintaining their place among the top sides.

Elsewhere in the final-day fixtures, De Defenders defeated Osun United 31–23, Niger United narrowly lost to Tojemarine Academy 27–28, while Benue Buffaloes were awarded a walkover win against Adamawa Warriors.

In the women’s category, Safety Babes sealed their fifth straight crown with a disciplined 27–24 (11–14) win over second-placed Rima Queens. Winning a five peat consecutive titles is unprecedented in the history of handball in Nigeria.

Safety Babes ended the season with 13 wins from 14 matches, amassing 40 points and an impressive goal difference of +128 (486–358) as Rima Queens finished second with 31 points, while Omo Ogiefo Academy placed third with 32 points after a solid campaign.

Ardova Handball Premier League 2025 Phase 2 Final Day Results

MALE:

1) De Defenders–Osun United 31–23 (13–13).
2) Correction Boys–Rima Strikers 27–26 (15–12).
3) Niger United–Tojemarine Academy 27–28 (11–17).
4) Benue Buffaloes–Adamawa Warriors 10–00 (W/O).
5) Safety Shooters–COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10).

FEMALE:

Rima Queens– Safety Babes 24–27 (14–11).