The management of Onitsha Sports Club in Anambra State has alleged that property worth more than ₦500 million was looted or destroyed during an invasion of its premises by suspected thugs and other individuals.
The club’s President, Mr. Titus Adirika, and Secretary, Tochukwu Chidobelu, disclosed this while speaking with journalists after inspecting the facility on October 22, 2026.
They said several sections of the club, including the kitchen, gymnasium, wine bar and staff quarters, were vandalised during the incident, which reportedly occurred on October 21.
According to the executives, the attackers allegedly carted away more than 50 solar lights, all the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed on the premises, cash, mobile phones and other valuables.
They also claimed that a vehicle containing drinks valued at over ₦100 million was vandalised, while other equipment and property belonging to the club and its staff were either stolen or damaged.
The executives further alleged that two people were hospitalised after sustaining injuries from beatings and exposure to tear gas during the invasion.
They claimed that club members who were present during the incident came under attack when security operatives and suspected thugs allegedly attempted to force their way into the premises.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the police response, the club officials said they rushed to the Central Police Station and the Area Command in Onitsha after receiving information about the alleged looting. However, they claimed that no rescue team arrived at the scene until the following morning.
Chidobelu also referred to a letter purportedly issued by the traditional ruler of Onitsha, which he said disputed the ownership claim being made by the family involved in the property dispute. He maintained that the document could help clarify the matter.
A staff member, Daniel Oloche, who identified himself as the club’s storekeeper and gardener, corroborated the executives’ account of the incident.
Oloche alleged that the invasion began at about 5 p.m. when a man identified as Harold arrived at the premises with five police officers and dozens of armed men.
He claimed that the group forced open the entrance gate after he refused to grant them access.
Displaying an injury around his eye, Oloche alleged that he was beaten alongside two other club members. He further claimed that the bar was forcibly opened after the attendant was compelled to surrender its key.
According to him, the items allegedly taken away included three freezers, drinks, a generator, a water pump, solar lights and personal belongings of staff members.
He listed some of the missing personal effects as mattresses, a gas cooker, television sets and computers.
The club executives alleged that the group operated on the premises from approximately 5 p.m. until midnight, leaving several facilities vandalised and valuable items missing.
They called on the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
Efforts to contact one of the individuals accused in connection with the incident, 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 Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said he was unaware of the incident, which reportedly took place on October 21, 2026.
The allegations had yet to be independently verified, and no response from the individuals accused was available at the time of publication.
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