Emenike Alleges Invasion, Assault at His Imo Hospital

Former Super Eagles striker and philanthropist Emmanuel Emenike has raised the alarm over what he describes as a distressing invasion of Emenike Hospital in Owerri, Imo State, alleging that officials of the Imo State Waste Management Agency and police officers stormed the facility, assaulted staff and patients, and arrested key employees.

The 40-bed hospital, which Emenike established as a personal investment to give back to his home state after a successful career that included winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and playing in Europe, was reportedly targeted on October 21, 2026. According to the former international, this followed an earlier incident on September 25, 2026, allegedly ordered by the Divisional Police Officer of Owerri Urban Division and involving officers from Oji Police Station.

In a series of emotional posts on his verified Instagram account @emenike_9, Emenike shared videos and CCTV footage purportedly showing the scenes. He wrote: “After representing my dear country on the international stage, playing in Europe and celebrating the trophy of winning the Africa Cup of Nations, I chose to bring my experience and success home to Imo State. I invested in my community and built a hospital—a place where people could seek care, find comfort and hold on to hope. It was a gesture of faith in my people and a commitment to helping my home state thrive.

“That is why the reports of what happened today, 21st October, 2026, at Emenike Hospital are so painful. A place built to care for people should never become a place where patients are afraid and staff are left feeling unsafe.”

Emenike alleged that individuals said to be from the state waste-management agency entered the premises, assaulted staff and patients, and took away the hospital administrator and cashier. He claimed the two employees (with some accounts referring to three staff members) were detained at Oji Police Station after being brutalised. Armed police officers from Oji Police Station were also allegedly involved. He demanded an urgent, impartial investigation, the immediate release of the detained staff, medical care for the injured, protection for witnesses, and the preservation of CCTV footage and incident records. He specifically called on Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Imo State Police Command to intervene.

The Imo State Police Command has responded swiftly. In an official statement on Thursday, the command confirmed it was aware of CCTV footage circulating on social media showing officials of the Imo State Waste Management Agency and police officers at the hospital on October 21. It stated that three members of staff were arrested over alleged violations of the state’s waste management laws.

Commissioner of Police Audu Garba Bosso has ordered a thorough and impartial investigation to establish the full circumstances and determine the roles of the officers involved. The command also confirmed that the three hospital staff members have since been released. It reiterated its commitment to professionalism, discipline, accountability and respect for the rule of law, warning that any officer found to have acted unlawfully or engaged in misconduct would face appropriate disciplinary action.

Emenike Hospital, located in Owerri and opened in 2024, was built as a modern healthcare facility aimed at serving the community with quality care. The former footballer has repeatedly emphasised that healthcare institutions must remain places of safety and hope, free from violence or disruption.

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While the police have moved to investigate and the detained staff have been freed, questions remain about the precise sequence of events, the justification for the operations, the alleged use of force, and any impact on patients and ongoing medical services. Both the hospital’s account and the official police position highlight the need for a transparent probe that protects the rights of all parties and upholds the sanctity of medical facilities.

As further details emerge from the investigation, the public awaits clarity on what exactly transpired at a facility founded by one of Nigeria’s football heroes in a bid to improve healthcare access in his home state.