Former Super Eagles forward Emmanuel Emenike has called on the Imo State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate an alleged invasion of his hospital in the state, during which some staff members were reportedly assaulted and arrested.
Emenike raised the concerns in posts shared on his verified Instagram account on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, where he published videos purportedly showing armed men in uniform arresting members of the hospital staff.
The former international footballer alleged that individuals linked to an Imo State waste-management agency entered the premises following an earlier incident involving police officers on September 25, 2026.
According to him, the incident involved the alleged assault of hospital staff and patients, as well as the arrest of the facility's administrator and cashier. He also alleged that armed police officers from Oji Police Station were involved in the incident.
Calling on Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Nigeria Police Force and the Imo State Police Command to intervene, Emenike stressed that healthcare facilities should remain safe environments where patients can receive treatment without fear or intimidation.
“A hospital must be a place of care and safety—not a scene of violence,” he stated.
Emenike called for an independent and transparent investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
He also demanded the release of the hospital administrator and cashier, whom he described as having been wrongfully detained, and urged the authorities to ensure that anyone injured receives appropriate medical attention.
The footballer further called for the preservation and review of CCTV footage, incident reports and other relevant evidence, while urging the government to take appropriate action against any official or agency found to have acted unlawfully.
He maintained that enforcement operations must not endanger patients, disrupt emergency medical services or expose healthcare workers to violence, adding that public officials must operate within the confines of the law.
Reflecting on his contribution to Nigerian football and his decision to invest in his home state, Emenike said he established the hospital to provide healthcare services to residents of his community.
He recalled representing Nigeria internationally, playing in Europe and celebrating the country's Africa Cup of Nations triumph before deciding to invest his resources in Imo State.
“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,” he said.
He added that the hospital was built to give members of his community access to medical care, comfort and hope, describing the investment as a demonstration of his commitment to the development of his home state.
Expressing disappointment over the reported incident, Emenike said it was painful that a facility established to protect lives had allegedly become a place where patients and healthcare workers felt unsafe.
He urged the relevant authorities to provide the hospital community with the necessary protection and support, stressing that residents deserved safety and that healthcare facilities must remain places of healing.
As of the time of the report, the allegations had not been independently verified, and no response from the Imo State Government or the police was included in Emenike's account.
