Police allegedly invade hospital owned by ex-Super Eagles star Emenike after he criticized Imo Governor

Former Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike has raised the alarm over a reported attack on his hospital in Imo State, days after criticising some state governors over alleged mismanagement and embezzlement of public funds.

Emenike disclosed the incident in a statement published on his Instagram account on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, expressing concern over what reportedly happened at Emenike Hospital.

The former Nigerian international said he was deeply pained by the incident, stressing that a hospital established to provide medical care should remain a safe environment for patients and healthcare workers.

According to Emenike, he decided to invest in his home state after representing Nigeria internationally, playing professional football in Europe and winning the Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles.

He said the hospital was established to provide healthcare services to residents of his community and contribute to the development of 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 wrote.

“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.”

Reacting to the reported incident, Emenike said it was particularly distressing that a facility established to care for people had allegedly become a place where patients and medical personnel felt unsafe.

“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,” he said.

The former striker called on the relevant authorities to ensure the protection of the hospital, its patients and its workers.

“We call on the hospital community to receive the protection and support it needs. Imo State deserves investment. Its people deserve safety. And every hospital should remain a place of care and hope,” he added.

Emenike also tagged Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Nigeria Police Force and the Imo State Police Command in his post, apparently seeking their intervention over the reported incident.

Emenike Had Earlier Accused Governors of Mismanaging Public Funds

The reported incident came about a week after Emenike criticised some state governors over alleged corruption, mismanagement of public resources and a lack of development plans for their states.

On October 14, the former footballer expressed his displeasure in a post on Instagram, accusing some governors of prioritising the diversion of public funds over the welfare of citizens.

He also criticised security personnel for allegedly supporting political officeholders despite facing economic hardship.

“The arrogancy and confidence in some of these governors make me sick, and a lot of them don’t have good plans for the future of their state zero plans; e.g., just embezzle money, and una police and army go still follow them with empty stomachs, jokers,” he wrote.

“Nigeria is finished and gone. We thought it was a country when we played, not knowing that it is an embezzlement ground. Embezzlement group of companies.”

Emenike, however, did not name any governor in the post.

Hospital Staff, Administrator Allegedly Harassed

In a further account of the incident, personnel of the Imo State waste management agency and police officers were alleged to have visited the hospital, harassed staff and patients, and detained the hospital administrator and cashier.

The circumstances surrounding the reported operation, including the reason for the officials’ visit and the basis for the alleged detentions, were not immediately clear from the account provided.

As of the time of the report, there was no response from the Imo State Government, the state police command or the waste management agency addressing the allegations.

The reported incident has raised concerns about the safety of healthcare facilities and the need for authorities to clarify what transpired at the hospital.

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