{
  "id": 9051359,
  "title": "Players, officials stunned as police disrupt Enyimba training",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/players-officials-stunned-as-police-disrupt-enyimba-training-9051359",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T01:07:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/players-officials-stunned-as-police-disrupt-enyimba-training/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The power struggle at nine-time Nigerian Premier Football League champions Enyimba escalated on Monday when the club's sporting director, Daniel Eke, along with some Nigerian Police Force officers, disrupted the team's training session following their home loss to Inter Lagos on Sunday. Inter Lagos secured their first league win of the season by defeating Enyimba 1-0 at the Enyimba Stadium. This result marked Enyimba's third consecutive defeat, leaving them without a point at the start of the 2026/27 season amid ongoing issues both on and off the pitch. The club returned to training on Monday, but the session was reportedly abruptly terminated after Eke allegedly stormed the venue with Abia State Police Command Rapid Response Squad officers, who escorted some club officials away. Videos and images from the incident depicted players and officials appearing disoriented, while club chairman Nwankwo Kanu was filmed guiding the players to the Rapid Response Squad office. An Enyimba Stadium official explained to The PUNCH that the chairman was preparing to address the players when the police arrived and arrested several officials. The official expressed concern that no training took place on Monday, and the team would not be ready for their crucial match against Sporting Lagos on Wednesday. It is believed that Eke's actions were a retaliation following his alleged confrontation with stadium officials on Sunday. The club's power struggle dates back to last season when Eke was appointed sporting director by Abia State Government officials, despite Kanu nominating former Nigeria international Uche Okechukwu for the position. The conflict also extended to the technical staff when Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu and Commissioner for Sports Nwaobilor Ananaba brought in Cameroonian coach Emmanuel Deutsch to lead the club, in defiance of Kanu's choice of Deji Ayeni. Ayeni and Okechukwu subsequently stepped aside for Deutsch and Eke, but the turmoil has resurfaced this season. According to a club source, the latest conflict is part of efforts to remove Kanu, who was appointed chairman by Abia State Governor Alex Otti in 2023. The source revealed that the governor preferred Kanu as the commissioner but opted for the role of Enyimba chairman. The source stated that the ongoing disputes have led to a decline in Enyimba's league performances, with the club finishing third in Kanu's first season, sixth in the 2024/25 season, and currently in 11th position. Enyimba will face Sporting Lagos on Wednesday, aiming to secure their first points of the 2026/27 season and escape the relegation zone.",
  "summary": "Police officers, allegedly led by Sporting Director Daniel Eke, disrupted Enyimba’s training session after a third straight NPFL defeat, stunning players. Read More: https://punchng.com/players-officials-stunned-as-police-disrupt-enyimba-training/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Players, officials stunned as police disrupt Enyimba training",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/players-officials-stunned-as-police-disrupt-enyimba-training",
        "published": "2026-09-22T01:04:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}