- Enugu community accuses police of brutality, killing of one of their indigenes in their custody
- Youths take to the streets, demanding justice for the slain indigene
- Enugu state police command denies the allegation, says the deceased was never detained
Less than one week after the alleged killing of one of the indigenes of Umuezejor, Obollo-Afor, Udenu local government area of Enugu state, youths in the community have taken to the streets, demanding justice for the deceased.
However, earlier on in the week, the community has petitioned the Enugu state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah and Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun over the ugly incident, while seeking justice for the deceased.
The community under the aegis of Obollo-Afor Youths Organization with its headquarters in Obollo-Afor, appealed to the state governor and IGP to conduct an independent investigation into the alleged murder of one of their own, Mr. Nnaemeka Ugwu who was detained in police cell by the Nsukka Urban Police Divisional headquarters.
The petition entitled “A Tale of Tragedy and Injustice that happened in Obollo-Afor”, and made available to WITHIN NIGERIA, the group expressed their displeasure over the handling of the matter by the Enugu state police command.
“We express our rage over the use of brutal force and inhuman treatment meted on Mr. Nnaemeka Ugwu from Umuezejor Obollo Afor by a cruel police officer attached to Nsukka Area Command that led to his death.
“The disturbing incident started on 6th of February 2025 which has sent shocking wave in Obollo-Afor. It is equally a stark reminder of the dangers of police brutality and the urgent need for Police Reform.”
Tracing the origin of the incident the community explained that “on 6th February, Mr. Nnaemeka Ugwu and many others were harassed and arrested by a police officer who accused a Patent Medical Store owner of selling illicit drugs after the police officer (Inspector Dumiri) and some team of other policemen stormed their business premises located at New Makurdi Road Obollo-Afor .
“The victim, who was known to his family and friends as a law-abiding citizen was taken into custody and never returned home. Tragically he developed complications at the detention as a result of injuries sustained from the excessive force used by the police officer during interrogation which resulted in him collapsing.
“Immediately he collapsed he was rushed to Shanahan hospital but on getting there he was confirmed dead sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.
“The circumstances surrounding the victim’s death are deeply troubling. Eyewitness from one Mr. Onyekachi Thaddeus whose wife was equally arrested alongside the deceased and 4 other people reported that the police officer applied excessive force during the arrest and interrogation resulting to the victim sustaining physical injuries all in a bid for him to write a false statement while in custody.
“The fact that the victims were accused of a crime without any evidence, and that one of them died under suspicious circumstances raises serious questions about police misconduct and impunity in Nsukka Area Command.
“This incident is not an isolated one. It is part of a larger pattern of police brutality and abuse of power that has claimed countless lives and destroyed families. It is a stark reminder that the community is not safe from those Police men who are sworn to protect and serve them.
“We demand justice for the victim and his family. We demand that the police officer alleged to be responsible for his death be held accountable and brought to justice. We demand that the police department take immediate action to address the systemic issues that led to this tragedy and launch a proper and unbiased investigation.
“We will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated. We will continue to speak out against police brutality and demand justice for all victims of police abuse and work tirelessly to create a society where everyone can live without fear of harassment, arrest, or any form of extra judicial killings.”
NYCN petitions state government, IGP
However, when the petition seemed to have fallen on deaf ears of both the police and the state government, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Enugu North zone issued a statement, condemning the incident and calling for justice on the deceased.
In a press release signed by the Vice-Chairman of the state chapter of the council, Eze Kenneth Nnamdi, and made available to WITHIN NIGERIA, it expressed its displeasure over the circumstances leading to the death of the deceased.
“NYCN Enugu North Condemns in Totality Police Team led by Asp Uwah Dumbiri ( Dumiri) Illegal Arrest and Harassment Against Patent Medical Store Owners at Obollo Afor that led to the Death of Mr Nnaemeka Ugwuona .
“National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), the Mother youth organization in Enugu State and Apex Youth organization in Enugu North (Nsukka), condemns the illegal cum harassment activities of police Operatives from Area Command Nsukka led by Uwah Dumbiri known as Dumiri that led to the death of Mr Nnaemeka ugwuona from umuezejor Obollo Afor, in Udenu Local government, Enugu State.
“On 6th February, 2025, Asp Uwah Dumbiri known as Dumiri led a police team from Nsukka area command to Obollo Afor which is outside their Jurisdiction, but Under Udenu area command to harass and arrest innocent patent Medical store owners of selling illicit drugs, which after there thorough searching they got nothing but still insist on detaining them to extort money from them under Nsukka area command.
“Dumiri led team came with a masked person that was pointing out Chemist Shops at Obollo Afor, Makurdi road. the police Operatives were arresting them without having evidence of selling any illicit drugs.
“Late Mr Nnaemeka Ugwuona collapse and died while watching the police Operatives beating his wife to accept that she is selling illicit drugs and to sign written statements by the police Operatives with his name.
“It is Condemnable, unacceptable, and must never be condoned. We call on the Inspector General of police and Commissioner of Police to urgently intervene and control the situation now.”
On Monday, February 10, 2025, the youths numbering about fifty took to the streets in protest, demanding the prosecution of the alleged police officer who they said masterminded the arrest and eventual murder of the deceased.
The protest which took place along Old Markurdi road, Obollo-afor and ended at Obollo-Afor police divisional headquarters lasted for about three hours as placards carrying youths demanded the arrest of the suspects.
Police reaction to the incident
On Monday night, the Enugu state police command issued a statement denying its involvement in the death of Mr. Ugwu.
In a release by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr. Daniel Ndukwe, the Command entitled “ENUGU COMMAND DEBUNKS ALLEGATIONS OF HARASSMENT, ARREST, DETENTION, TORTURE, AND DEATH OF A PATENT MEDICINE DEALER IN POLICE CUSTODY”, reads thus;
“The Enugu State Police is informing the public that the viral media report alleging that a patent medicine dealer, Mr. Nnaemeka Ugwu of Umuezejor, Obollo-Afor in Udenu LGA, was arrested, harassed, detained, and died in police custody is false and intended to mislead the public. The Command unequivocally states that Mr. Nnaemeka was never arrested, nor was he harassed, tortured, or killed in police custody, as alleged.
“Contrary to these allegations, operatives attached to the Nsukka Area Command, in synergy with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, initially arrested one Jerry Uche (male, aged 27) for alleged armed robbery and the snatching and sale of stolen motorcycles. Further investigations led to the arrest of three more male suspects: Emenike Ezugwu (alias “Eternal,” aged 28), Omeje Chidera (alias “Dakpor,” aged 27), and Omeje Obinna (alias “Obaino,” aged 37).
“During the operations, police recovered three locally made pistols, including a revolver, two live cartridges, three motorcycles allegedly snatched from victims, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, and plastic-piped bottles used for consuming methamphetamine (locally known as “Mkpụrụ Mmiri”). Following their confessions, one of the suspects led operatives to Obollo-Afor, Udenu LGA, where individuals suspected of receiving stolen motorcycles were apprehended on February 6, 2025.
“Consequently, one Uroko Ifeanyi Moses (alias “Sim-Card”, aged 28) was identified and arrested. He confessed to the crime and led the operatives to recover two of the stolen motorcycles in Obollo-Afor. Other suspects were also arrested, including Mr. Nnaemeka’s wife, Ngozi Nnaemeka, in connection with the case.
“On February 7, 2025, Mr. Nnaemeka, accompanied by one Hon. Onyemaechi, visited the Area Command Headquarters to secure his wife’s release. During the visit, Mr. Nnaemeka suddenly collapsed. He was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment but was later confirmed dead by the attending doctor. His remains have been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, psc (+), has sympathised with the family and relatives of the deceased. He has also directed the Deputy Commissioner in charge of the State CID to conduct a discreet investigation to establish the circumstances of Mr. Nnaemeka’s sudden collapse and death. He urges community members, including the youth, to cooperate with the police, maintain peace, and use appropriate channels to express their concerns.”
