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Man Dies At Enugu Police Station While Seeking Wife’s Release, Family Alleges Torture
His relatives, in a viral video, accused the police of detaining, harassing, and torturing him to death.
Enugu State — A patent medicine dealer, Nnaemeka Ugwu, has died at the Nsukka Police Area Command while attempting to secure the release of his detained wife.
Ugwu, a native of Umuezejor, Obollo-Afor in Udenu Local Government Area, reportedly collapsed at the station under unclear circumstances.
His relatives, in a viral video, accused the police of detaining, harassing, and torturing him to death.
However, the Enugu State Police Command has denied the allegations, insisting that Ugwu was neither arrested nor tortured.
In a statement on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, described the claims as “misleading and an attempt to deceive the public.”
“The command unequivocally states that Nnaemeka was never arrested, nor was he harassed, tortured, or killed in police custody, as alleged,” Ndukwe said.
He added that Ugwu collapsed at the station and was rushed to a hospital, where he later died.
The statement read, “Contrary to these allegations, operatives attached to the Nsukka Area Command, in collaboration 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’).
It said, “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.”
However, Ndukwe stated that contrary to viral rumours, the deceased collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.
“On February 7, 2025, Nnaemeka, accompanied by one Hon Onyemaechi, visited the Area Command Headquarters to secure his wife’s release. During the visit, 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.”
According to Ndukwe, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has sympathised with the family and relatives of the deceased.
“He also directed the deputy commissioner in charge of the State CID to conduct a discreet investigation to establish the circumstances of Nnaemeka’s sudden collapse and death.”
Ndukwe added that the commissioner as appealing to community members, including the youth, to cooperate with the police, maintain peace, and use appropriate channels to express their grievances and concerns.
