Executives of Onitsha Sports Club in Anambra State have alleged that property worth more than ₦500 million was looted or destroyed during an invasion of the club’s premises.
The club’s President, Titus Adirika, and Secretary, Tochukwu Chidobelu, made the allegation while speaking with journalists after an inspection of the facility on October 22, 2026.
They said several sections of the club, including the kitchen, gym, wine bar and staff quarters, were vandalised, while solar lights and surveillance cameras were allegedly removed.
According to the executives, a vehicle containing drinks valued at over ₦100 million was vandalised, while cash, phones and other valuables were allegedly stolen. They added that more than 50 solar lights and all the CCTV cameras installed on the premises were carted away.
The executives further alleged that two persons were hospitalised after sustaining injuries from beatings and exposure to tear gas during the incident.
They claimed that club members present during the invasion were attacked when security operatives and some suspected thugs allegedly attempted to force their way into the premises.
Expressing concern over what they described as a poor police response, the executives said they rushed to the Central Police Station and the Area Command in Onitsha after receiving information that the club was being looted. However, they alleged that no rescue arrived until the following morning.
Chidobelu also cited a letter from the traditional ruler of Onitsha, which he said disclaimed the claim that the property belonged to the family laying claim to it. He maintained that the letter should help clarify the ownership dispute.
A staff member, Daniel Oloche, who identified himself as the club’s storekeeper and gardener, corroborated the executives’ account.
Oloche alleged that the incident began around 5 p.m. when a man identified as Harold arrived with five police officers and dozens of armed thugs. He claimed that the group forced the gate open after he refused to open it.
Displaying an injury around his eye, Oloche alleged that he was beaten alongside two other club members. He further claimed that the bar was forced open after the key was collected from the attendant.
According to him, three freezers, drinks, a generator, a water pump, solar lights and staff members’ personal belongings, including mattresses, a gas cooker, television sets and computers, were taken away.
The executives alleged that the group operated on the premises from about 5 p.m. until midnight. They called for a thorough investigation and urged the relevant authorities to ensure that justice was served.
Attempts to contact one of the persons accused, both by telephone and through a visit to his office, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
When contacted at the venue of the press briefing, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said he was unaware of the incident, which reportedly occurred on October 21, 2026.
