Onitsha Sports Club Reports Alleged Looting of Property Worth Over ₦500m
The management of Onitsha Sports Club in Anambra State has called on the Federal Government, the state government and security agencies to investigate the alleged invasion and looting of its facilities, with the value of missing and damaged property estimated at more than ₦500 million.
The club’s secretary, Toochukwu Chidobelu, made the appeal while addressing journalists alongside the club’s president, Titus Adirika, and other committee members.
According to Chidobelu, a group of individuals allegedly entered the club premises with police officers and removed several items from the facility. He said the incident occurred between 5 p.m. and midnight.
The items reportedly taken included television sets, solar lights and other property within the complex. The club also alleged that several people sustained injuries during the incident, with some requiring hospital treatment.
Chidobelu said the incident was connected to a long-running dispute over ownership of the land occupied by the club. He maintained that the matter was still before the court and questioned the actions of those seeking to take over the premises.
He further alleged that the police officers involved claimed to have a court order authorising them to enter the property and remove the club’s occupants. However, according to him, the officers did not produce the document when requested.
The club’s management also alleged that attempts to obtain assistance from the Onitsha Area Command and the Central Police Station were unsuccessful during the incident.
When contacted by Punch, the Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said he was not aware of the incident at the time. Efforts to obtain comments from the individuals accused of involvement were also unsuccessful.
The club has urged the relevant authorities to intervene and investigate the allegations as the dispute over the property continues.
The allegations have not been independently established, and the positions of the other parties involved were not available at the time of reporting.
