Chinedum Treasure
Leadership of Onitsha Sports Club, Anambra State has alleged that property worth over N500 million was looted and destroyed during invasion of their premises.
Secretary of the Cub, Tochukwu Chidobelu and its president, Titus Adirika made the allegation in a chat with newsmen after an inspection tour of the facility.
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.
“More than 50 solar lights and all CCTV cameras installed in the club were also carted away. Members who were around during the invasion were attacked when security operatives and some thugs attempted to force their way into the premises.
“Two persons are currently hospitalised following injuries sustained from beating and tear gas during the incident,” they decried.
Expressing worry over what they described as poor response from the police, Chidobelu said, “we 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.”
He also referred to a letter from the traditional ruler of Onitsha, disclaiming and disassociating himself from any involvement in the property tussle, stressing that 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.
“The bar was forced open after collecting the key from the bar attendant. Three freezers, drinks, generator, water pump, solar lights and staff personal items including mattresses, gas cooker, TV sets and computers were taken away,” he claimed.
While alleging that the group operated from around 5 p.m till midnight, the executives called for thorough investigation into the incident, urging relevant authorities to ensure justice is done.
All attempts to contact one of the accused both through phone calls and visit to his office proved abortive at the time of filing this report.
When contacted, Police Spokesperson Toochukwu Ikenga said he was not aware of the incident.
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