Ex-Nigerian Footballer Handcuffed, Children Assaulted as Police Storm Anambra Football Academy

By Our Correspondent

Maureen Madu, a veteran Super Falcons striker and five-time Olympian, has demanded justice over her alleged dehumanization by security personnel following an uninvestigated petition against her by a parent.

Madu, proprietor of Maureen Kiddies Football Academy for boys and girls, made the call on Sunday while interacting with sports journalists in Awka.

Narrating her ordeal, Madu said a man, Uchenna, handed over his daughter to her in Awka in June for basic football training during the long holiday.

Despite inviting Uchenna to visit, he declined and never showed up, instead sending money for the child’s needs, including underwear and sanitary pads.

“When it was time for school resumption, I invited Uchenna to take his child, but he asked me to find a school and enroll her, which I turned down, saying it wasn’t my duty,” Madu said.

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 Esq. on October 7, 2024, alleged “Armed Gangsterism, Cultism, Attempted Murder, Child Trafficking, and Threat to Life” against Maureen Madu.

Madu claimed the personnel, without investigating the allegations or producing a warrant, forced themselves into the camp, traumatized 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, adding “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, I feel very embarrassed. The Police should return all the phones in their possession.

“The man who abandoned his child and petitioned against me should be investigated and made to defend his frivolous claims.”

Madu recently represented Avaldsnes IL, a first-division team based in Norway’s West Coast, before returning to Nigeria to contribute to football development.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, said the matter was not reported to the command.