By Chukwudi Ebele
Executives of Onitsha Sports Club, Anambra State, have alleged that property worth over N500 million was looted and destroyed during an invasion of their premises.
The secretary of the club, Tochukwu Chidobelu, and its president, Titus Adirika made the allegation while speaking with journalists after an inspection tour of the facility on October 22, 2026.
They said several sections of the club including the kitchen, gym, wine bar, staff quarters , solar lights and surveillance cameras were vandalized.
According to the duo, a vehicle containing drinks worth over N100 million was vandalized, while cash, phones and other valuables kept inside were taken away. He alleged that more than 50 solar lights and all CCTV cameras installed in the club were also carted away.
The Executives further alleged that two persons are currently hospitalised following injuries sustained from beating and tear gas during the incident. They said members who were around during the invasion were attacked when security operatives and some thugs attempted to force their way into the premises.
The executives expressed worry over what they described as poor response from the police. They said they ran to the Central Police Station and the Area Command in Onitsha on receiving information that the club was being looted, but no rescue came until the following morning.
Chidobelu also referred to a letter from the traditional ruler of Onitsha, disclaiming that the property belongs to the family laying claim to it. He said the letter should suffice to clarify ownership.
A staff member of the club, Daniel Oloche, who identified himself as storekeeper and gardener, corroborated the account. He alleged that the incident started around 5 p.m. when a man identified as Harold allegedly came with five police officers with dozens of armed thugs and forced the gate open after he refused to open it.
Oloche, who showed injury around his eye, alleged that he was beaten, while two other members were also assaulted. He claimed the bar was forced open after collecting the key from the bar attendant and that three freezers, drinks, generator, water pump, solar lights and staff personal items including mattresses, gas cooker, TV sets and computers were taken away.
The executives said the group allegedly operated from around 5 p.m. till midnight. They called for a thorough investigation into the incident and urged relevant authorities to ensure justice is done.
All attempts to contact one of the accused both through phone calls and a visit to his office proved abortive at the time of filing this report.
Moreso, when the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Toochukwu Ikenga was contacted from the venue of the press briefing, he said he was not aware of the incident which took place on October 21, 2026.