Mother Cries For Justice As Innocent Son Was Murdered Inside Umuahia Central Police Station Cell.
On Tuesday, June 20, 2024, Brother Emmanuel was engaged for a paid job to transport tiles. The Isiocha family sent three additional boys to assist him with unloading the tiles: Ifeanyi Okonku, another individual, and a third person whose name was not clearly mentioned.
After the job was completed, it was discovered that eight pieces of the tiles were missing. Consequently, the Isiocha family called the police, who arrested the three boys, excluding Brother Emmanuel the driver of the vehicle.
Later that evening, at approximately 9:26 pm, the site manager, known as Coach, contacted Brother Emmanuel, urging him to accompany him to a native place to investigate the missing tiles. However, upon reaching the location, the site manager handed Brother Emmanuel over to the police, where he was detained without the family’s consent. He remained in custody from Tuesday to Thursday, without food, and was beaten in the cell despite his claims of innocence.
During his detention, Brother Emmanuel became angry and demanded to be released, stating he was just a driver and knew nothing about the stolen tiles. The inmates then beat him severely while the police officers on duty did nothing to intervene. Emmanuel was tied up by both hands and legs. When Ifeanyi, the boy who stole the tiles, was questioned, he claimed that Brother Emmanuel got angry and shouted, which led the inmates to beat him up on the order of the cell leader. Ifeanyi also stated that he was beaten when he tried to stop the inmates from attacking Brother Emmanuel.
When the DPO (Divisional Police Officer) arrived, he ordered that Brother Emmanuel be given food, but it was too late as he was too weak to eat. Brother Emmanuel was then admitted to the police clinic, where the doctor recommended transferring him to FMC (Federal Medical Center). Unfortunately, he died shortly thereafter.
On the Friday before his death, Mama IJ learned about her son’s detention and immediately visited the police station. Brother Emmanuel informed her that he feared for his life and pleaded for his release. Mama IJ then rushed to the DPO’s office but was met by a pregnant secretary who refused bail, insisting that the missing tiles be paid for in full before Brother Emmanuel could be released, with the money being shared at ₦15,000 each. Despite Mama IJ’s repeated pleas, she had to return home to gather the required funds.
Mama IJ contacted Brother Kingsley and provided him with ₦15,000. Brother Kingsley obtained an additional ₦10,000 and approached the Isiocha family to collect an outstanding debt of ₦15,000 owed to Brother Emmanuel. After much delay, the mother reluctantly paid the amount. Brother Kingsley then urged her to contact the police to facilitate Brother Emmanuel’s release. However, the woman from the Isiocha family, known as Badoos’ mother, denied having requested Brother Emmanuel’s arrest and any involvement in calling the police.
Brother Kingsley proceeded to the CPS police station to secure Brother Emmanuel’s release. Upon arrival, he could not find Brother Emmanuel. The DPO asked Brother Kingsley to take Mama IJ home and return immediately. Upon his return, the DPO revealed that Brother Emmanuel had been beaten to death by other prisoners and had been taken to the mortuary without the family’s consent. The DPO provided a photograph showing marks and bruises on Brother Emmanuel’s face before his death, stating that the culprit would be detained.
The DPO also promised to hold accountable the person who brought Brother Emmanuel to the station and arrest him. The owner of the tiles stated he never asked for Brother Emmanuel to be taken into custody and threatened to kill anybody that drags the mother into this case .
The helpless mother of the deceased, is calling on the Inspector general of police to please investigate the matter and fish out those behind the killing of his son. And let them face justice.
Meanwhile, our reporter’s interview with the State Police Public Relations Officer confirmed that the police is seriously looking into the matter and will bring the perpetrators and all who have a hand in the murder to book. She pleaded that all should remain law abiding as police investigation continues.
