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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Owerrinta Police Station, Abia State and some officers serving under him are under investigation following the death of a suspect accused of stealing cassava.
A video circulating on social media shows a young girl and her family alleging that officers from the Owerrinta Divisional Police Station caused the death of their father during an attempt to arrest him over the alleged theft.
It was gathered that on June 23, the Owerrinta Divisional Police Headquarters received a complaint alleging that one Nwachukwu Abraham and his family stole cassava.
The Investigating Police Officer (IPO) assigned to the case, accompanied by his team, reportedly visited Abraham’s residence on June 24 to effect his arrest.
However, the suspect told the officers he was ill, had recently been discharged from hospital and was suffering from kidney and liver diseases, making him unable to accompany them to the station.
After confirming that he was indeed ill, the officers left with instructions for him to report to the police station the following day. The officers, however, took the suspect’s wife and two daughters to the station to obtain their statements. They were later released after the intervention of the chairman (mayor) of the local government and asked to return the next day.
It was reported that the two girls returned to the station the following day without their parents. During subsequent efforts to enforce Abraham’s arrest, he reportedly died. His family has accused the police of being responsible for his death.
Reacting to the incident, the Abia State Police Command said it viewed the allegation with utmost seriousness.
In a statement, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Maureen Chinaka, said the Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, had directed that the DPO and all officers involved be brought to the state headquarters for questioning.
She added that after the interview with the Commissioner of Police, the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a thorough investigation to establish the true circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The public is assured that the investigation will be conducted transparently, and the findings will be made public upon its conclusion,” the statement said.
The command urged members of the public to remain calm and refrain from drawing unsubstantiated conclusions, assuring them of its commitment to professionalism, accountability and the rule of law.
