Anambra State Police Command said it has launched an investigation to apprehend and prosecute the security personnel involved in the assault on a former Super Falcons player Maureen Madu and the children from the Maureen Kiddies Football Academy for Boys and Girls.
Anambra police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
This followed a protest at the police headquarters in Amawbia-Awka led by Madu and supported by members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra State chapter.
Madu, a five-time Olympian, is seeking justice after allegedly being dehumanised by security officers. The incident reportedly stemmed from an unresolved complaint filed against her by a parent identified as Mr. Uchenna whose child is one of Madu’s students.
Madu, who owns the football academy, shared her account of the incident with reporters at the Command, explaining that Uchenna entrusted his daughter to her in Awka in June for basic football training during the long holiday.
She explained, “Despite inviting Uchenna to visit, he declined and never showed up, instead sending money for the child’s needs, including underwear and sanitary pads.”
She added, “When it was time for school resumption, I invited Uchenna to take his child, but he asked me to find a school and enrol her, which I turned down, saying it wasn’t my duty.”
She continued that Uchenna abandoned his daughter with her for four months without showing up until he sent a cab driver to pick her up in late September.
However, on October 9, security personnel stormed the Ozubulu camp of the academy, beating everyone in sight including players and taking Madu away in handcuffs.
The petition, signed by B.B.M. Maduekwe on October 7, 2024, alleged “armed gangsterism, cultism, attempted murder, child trafficking, and threat to life” against Madu.
Madu claimed that the personnel, without investigating the allegations or producing a warrant, forced their way into the camp, traumatised the players, seized their phones, handcuffed her and threw her into their vehicle.
“After feeding the girl for four months without paying any upkeep, they came with men from the Anti-Cult Unit, Ukpo,” Madu said.
She added, “They handcuffed me like a common thief, seized my phone and those of my players, beat them and some ended up in the hospital.”
“All I ask for is justice; my image has been severely damaged, and I feel very embarrassed. The police should return all the phones in their possession,” she appealed.
“The man who abandoned his child and petitioned against me should be investigated and made to defend his frivolous claims,” Madu stated.
Madu, who recently represented Avaldsnes IL, a first-division team based on Norway’s West Coast, returned to Nigeria to contribute to football development.
Reacting to the development, Ikenga said the Command has commenced investigations and moves to resolve the conflict.
“It is pertinent to note that after the necessary interview with the victims, it was discovered that the incident happened a few months ago and that there have been ongoing efforts to resolve the case between the parties concerned. The alleged police unprofessional conduct by the ex-Falcon footballer shall, however, be looked into,” he said.
