In what looks like a subtle return of the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Awkuzu, Anambra State, a suspect is reported to have died from torture in police custody at Awkuzu, no thanks to the highhandedness of the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, who have been accused of acting with the same fiendish brutality as operatives of the disbanded SARS.
It was gathered that the death of one Ebuka Obiora, a native of Enugwu-Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State in the hands of the operatives of Rapid Response Squad, “who acted like SARS in his arrest and torture to death”, as one source put it, “is generating tension in the state already on edge over security challenges in several parts.”
It was gathered that Obiora’s death became the trigger that stirred the people of Ezinna Community in Awka South LGA into action, leading to their petitioning the Police Service Commission to investigate the activities of operatives of RRS in Awkuzu.
Many had believed that Awkuzu Police Station, which gained notoriety during the ENDDARS protest had become a normal police station until the news of the death of Ebuka and other human rights abuses came to light.
According to Maduka Obiorah, the deceased’s brother, Ebuka was a victim of mistaken identity.
He lamented that despite the family’s requests for his release, the police operatives allegedly refused until a certain undisclosed amount of money was made available.
“I saw my brother on Saturday and I don’t know what they used to break his right leg. One police officer at SARS told me that we could bail my brother since it was an arrest in error. Apart from the heavy wounds on his leg, my brother looked healthy at Awkuzu Police Station and 24 hours later, police said he died inside the cell,” the elder Obiora wailed.
“My brother was initially detained at Otuocha Police Station for four days after which they transferred him to SARS Awkuzu. I went to see him on Friday with a lawyer, but couldn’t secure his bail and I repeated on Saturday. When I went to see him on Sunday, he was dead.
“My brother pleaded with the police to allow him to make a phone call to inform his family that he was being detained, but the police refused. His phone got missing immediately he was arrested and that phone has been off ever since.”
However, elders of Ezinano community in Awka raised a petition against the Officer in Charge of the Awkuzu Police Station, CSP Ifeanyi Iburu urging the Police Service Commission, PSC to investigate his activities.
In a petition signed by Ozo Ezekwesili and Dennis Okoli on behalf of the 10 elders of the community, they accused the police boss of abuse of human rights and abuse of trust.
They accused the RRS boss of illegally arresting youths of the community over land tussle and called on the Police Service Commission to call him to order and investigate his activities as the officer in charge of the Rapid Response Squad.
“The 0/C Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu and his team of about 12 policemen stormed our land, heavily armed and started shooting sporadically in the air for no just cause, threatening to shoot our youths. They assaulted Ezinano Youth Chairman, Tochukwu Nwokoye and took him to Awkuzu.
“We therefore humbly pray you, sir, to call Supol Iburu Ifeanyi to order and ensure that he stops acting ultra vires his powers under the Police Act or the
Constitution and in addition caution him seriously over interfering in land matters that are already before the court.
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga declined to comment on the death of the suspect in police custody in Awkuzu.
Meanwhile, Police Service Commission Spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani has warned that serving police officers who are found involved in civil matters, such as land, rent and marital disputes, will be sanctioned and their promotions suspended.”
