A middle-aged man, Okediachi Emeka, has reportedly died after being allegedly tortured by police officers in Asaba, Delta State.
The incident, which occurred on November 14, has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over police brutality in the country.
According to Emeka’s family, he succumbed to injuries inflicted by the police, who allegedly hit him on the head with a rifle.
His brother, Okediachi Desmond, narrated the ordeal, claiming that Emeka, his friend, and his girlfriend were pursued by officers in plain clothes, leading to a violent confrontation.
Desmond recounted that his brother and his companions initially fled, mistaking the plain-clothed officers for kidnappers.
The officers reportedly cornered them at the Ogbe-Osowe quarters in Asaba, shooting sporadically and assaulting them.
“My brother’s girlfriend managed to escape into her house nearby, but my brother and his friend were severely beaten.
The next morning, I saw him with a bandaged head and learned that he was hit with a rifle,” Desmond said.
He alleged that the officers extorted ₦150,000 from Emeka and forced him to record a video claiming he sustained the injury by hitting his head on a wall while fleeing.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, denied the allegations, stating that Emeka admitted to hitting his head on a wall during a chase.
According to Edafe, the police had responded to a distress call about suspicious activity near DBS Road and pursued the victims’ vehicle when they fled upon sighting the officers.
Edafe added, “The deceased came out later with blood on his head, claiming he hit a wall. The police took him to the hospital and paid his medical bills.”
He also noted that the Commissioner of Police in Delta State has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
Desmond refuted the police’s claims, insisting he has photographic evidence showing Emeka’s injuries were caused by the officers.
“The narrative that my brother hit his head on a wall is false. He was beaten by the police,” he said.
After initial treatment, Emeka’s condition reportedly worsened.
He began experiencing severe pain and eventually succumbed to his injuries days later, despite being rushed to two hospitals.
In a statement, the Commissioner of Police assured the public of a comprehensive investigation, promising to hold any culpable officers accountable.
“No stone will be left unturned, and if the operatives are found guilty, they will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
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