The police in Imo State have begun an investigation into an allegation by a former Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, that some political operatives invaded his hospital in Owerri and assaulted the hospital’s staff members before arresting others.
The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
The former Nigerian footballer co-founded the facility, Emenike Hospital, in May 2024.
It is a 40-bed hospital operated by AGCare, a healthcare operations management company.
Emenike’s alarm
In a post on his Instagram page on Wednesday, Mr Emenike said the operatives arrived at the hospital accompanied by officials of the Imo State Waste Management Agency.
The former Nigerian striker claimed that the security operatives were from Oji Police Divisional Headquarters and that they “assaulted staff and patients, and took away the hospital administrator and cashier.”
The footballer said the Wednesday’s incident happened after an earlier invasion of the facility on 25 September by police operatives on the order of the Division Police Officer in Owerri Urban Division.
He uploaded CCTV footage from the hospital which showed the state waste management agency’s personnel and armed police operatives taking some staff members away amid the chaos that enveloped the hospital.
Mr Emenike appealed to the police authorities in the state and the Imo State Government to investigate the incident and facilitate the release of the staff members.
“Ensure anyone injured receives medical care and that witnesses can report safely.
“Preserve and review available CCTV, incident records and other evidence. Take appropriate action (on the) official or agency for an unlawful act,” he said.
The former Super Eagles star argued that enforcement operations should not endanger patients, disrupt emergency care or use violence against hospital staff.
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“Public institutions must act within the law, and allegations of abuse must be investigated transparently,” he stated.
Police investigation
Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, said the police authorities in the state were aware of the footage showing when three staff members were “arrested over alleged violations of the state’s waste management laws.”
“In response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, has directed a thorough and impartial investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the arrest and determine the roles played by the officers involved,” he said, pointing out that the staff members have been released.
The spokesperson reiterated that the state police command was committed to professionalism, discipline, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.
“Any police officer found to have acted unlawfully or engaged in misconduct will face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with established procedures,” he vowed.
“The Command urges members of the public to remain calm and assures them that the matter will be handled fairly and in accordance with the law.”
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