By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Former Super Falcons striker, Maureen Madu, on Tuesday, 3rd December, went on a protest march to the Anambra State Police Command, demanding compensation for injuries and other damages sustained from alleged police brutality.
But the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the ex-footballer had been told what to do but had chosen to do otherwise. According to him, there was no way the Anambra State Police Command would entertain a matter already before the Assistant Inspector General of Police.
‘This matter is with the AIG. I cannot investigate my boss and superior. I told her to go back to the Zone when she reported the matter. I even volunteered to attach a police officer to her. That officer will follow her to Zone and ensure she is given adequate audience.
‘The AIG gave specific instruction and directed her to see the ACP. Coming to the Command with protesters is simply playing to the gallery. We want the matter resolved,’ he concluded.
It will be recalled that some personnel suspected to be operatives of Anti-Cult Unit from Zone 13, Ukpo, Anambra State, had invaded the Academy run by Maureen Madu known as Kiddies Football Academy, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, and allegedly brutalised players, smashed and seized their phones, before taking them away in handcuffs.
Speaking to journalists at Anambra State Police Command in Amawbia, Maureen Madu, who led the protest to the Command, said she had spent so much on treating herself and the kids wounded, including phones, items damaged and other expenses.
She recalled that a man registered his daughter in her academy for summer coaching but failed to provide her and later turned around to label allegations of armed gangsterism, attempted child trafficking and threat to life against her in a bid to evade his indebtedness to the academy.
‘All I want is justice. This man who left his daughter with me for four months should prove his case or damages with apology. The police should exonerate itself by ensuring that those who invaded my academy and humiliated me and my players without investigation are made to face the consequences of their unprofessional conduct,’ she said.
According to her, the Police in Anambra had promised to investigate the invasion of Maureen Madu Kiddies Football Academy but failed to do so since then, thereby prompting her to lead her team to protest at the Command but was asked to return to Zone 13 in Ukpo.
