Anambra Police absolve officers from Octogenarian’s murder

Police in Anambra State have denied involvement of officers of the Command in the death of late Mr Paul Onwualu in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

The 80-year-old deceased, said to be among aspirants to the Igweship throne in the area died following alleged beatings inflicted on him by Police officers reportedly from the FCID Abuja.

Sources had alleged that the policemen, in company of some oppositions to the deceased aspiration stormed his residence to arrest him.

“It was in the process of arresting him that he was beaten to coma and bundled into a waiting police vehicle and whisked away to Ogidi police station.

“He collapsed on the way to the police station and was rushed to the Iyi-Enu Mission hospital Ogidi, where medical personnel on duty confirmed him dead,” the source said.

While lamenting the sudden death of the husband, Wife of the deceased, Anthonia Onwualu said her husband was beaten to coma prior to his whisking away to an unknown destination.

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“I was later told that the policemen were on their way to Ogidi police station to detain him but died midway to the station,” she sobbed.

But SP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesman of the command in a statement on Tuesday said the officers involved in the incident have been identified, but insisted they were not operatives attached to the State Police Command.

He assures residents of the state that the matter is being investigated, calling for calm among residents.

He said, “We wish to inform the public that the Anambra state Command has commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of the late Mr Paul Onwualu in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“Preliminary information available to the Command reveals that the officers allegedly involved in the arrest before the sudden complication of the deceased’s health, which later led to his death, have been identified, but are not operatives attached to the Anambra State Police Command.

“The Command assures Ndi Anambra and members of the public that the matter is being handled with the seriousness it deserves to ascertain the facts surrounding the unfortunate incident.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu urges residents to remain calm and allow the ongoing investigation to run its course, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to transparency, professionalism, and the protection of lives and property.

“Further developments will be communicated accordingly.”