By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command, Wednesday, took over investigation of alleged assault and humiliation of players and ex-Super Falcons striker, Maureen Madu.
Police officers from Anti Cult Unit, Zone 13, Ukpo had on Oct. 19 invaded Madu’s Football Academy at Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state, brutalised her and team players, who included young girls and boys.
Madu and other victims of the unfortunate incidents were at the Anambra Police command at Amawbia to report the incident and were assured of the police readiness to investigate and bring culprits to book.
The four world cup and two Olympics football Amazon was not only beaten together with her players, but also alleged to have their phones destroyed.
They were later bundled into the security vehicle in handcuffs and slept in the cell without investigation into a petition said to have been written by a man.
Madu had called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to investigate the case and bring the culprit to book.
She alleged that one Mr Uchenna Onyekwunife registered his daughter for summer football coaching in her Academy in June this year and abandoned her in the camp for four months without visiting nor paying for upkeep only to send an unknown cab man to come pick her up.
She said she refused to release the girl to the cab man because she said she did not know him.
“It was later they showed me a petition signed by one B.B.M. Maduekwe Esq dated Oct. 7, 2024 entitled a case of “Armed Gangsterism, Cultism. Attempt Murder Child Trafficking And Threat To Life” against Maureen Madu. How can a man who registered his daughter in my football academy on his own, gave me custody of the child and sent money for underwear and sanitary pads tell Police that his child has been kidnapped.
“The Police, without carrying out any investigation or asking for my response, just invaded my academy led by the man to beat up everybody on site, seized and smashed their phones and arrested me in handcuffs.
“I am demanding that Ayuba Ahmadu, the Officer in Charge of Anti Cult Unit Ukpo annex and the SP Sunday Aleke, be investigated for such abuse of power and unprofessional handling of a case.
“The sad thing is that the man goes about boasting that nothing will happen because he has the AIG Zone 13 in his pocket.
“I am calling on IGP Kayode Egbetokun to handle this matter, the Police should not be an institution for the oppression of Nigeria masses, not me who served this country with all my youthfulness and is currently supporting youth players,” she said.
Already, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has joined the call for the dispassionate investigation of the matter by IGP, insisting that on no account should security men invade or manhandle award winning sports icon of repute.
