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Family of man allegedly asked by police to jump in river...‘Cops killed our son’

Posted by ndy on June 10, 2011 at 7:06pm
The family of Tochukwu Uzoukwu, a 25-year-old shop apprentice allegedly killed in a controversial manner by men of the Bayelsa State Special Squad popularly referred to as Operation Famou Tamgbe is currently seeking justice and an investigation into circumstances that led to the death of their son. Relations of the deceased want the police to pay the sum of N250 million to serve as compensation for the trauma suffered by the family for losing their loved one.But, the police through its spokesman, Equaveon Emopkae has not made any clear statement as regards the involvement of Famou Tamgbe in the alleged killing of Tochukwu on Wednesday, May 11, 2011. Emopkae, when confronted with the allegation, queried the possibility of the police asking the deceased to jump into the river over an offence, whatever it is, that could have been handled in the light of the law.Late Tochukwu was said to have been caught smoking Indian hemp in one of the public toilets located at the water front.His accuser, Sergeant  Benjamin Ogbuagu was said to have handed him to Famou Tamgbe because he had closed work for the day and called the deceased’s elder brother, Mr. Victor Ezekwem to inform him about the arrest. But, rather than heed the elder brother’s plea to keep Tochukwu in safe custody out of harm until his (Ezekwem’s) arrival, the sergeant, it was learnt, committed the late apprentice into the care of his alleged killers.A source who claimed to have watched the unfolding drama from a safe distance revealed that the late Tochukwu pleaded in vain for mercy that his life be spared because he does not know how to swim.According to the testimony of some witnesses documented by the Bayelsa Chapter of the Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO) which is also seeking interpretation of the law on the matter, the late apprentice trader was said to be in the company of his colleague on the fateful day at the close of work when he excused himself to answer the call of nature at a nearby public toilet located in the Shellram waterfront. Before long, the late Tochukwu was said to have been arrested by Sgt. Ogbuagu.Continuing, the witness said the people watching from a safe distance could have rescued Tochukwu but for the uniform men who watched him drown at gunpoint before they entered their vehicle and left the scene.The deceased’s relation, who corroborated the testimony of Chidi Opurum, Tochukwu’s colleague said he put several calls to the Police sergeant few hours later for the whereabouts of his ward who was arrested only to be told that he was dead. As at the time of filing this report, the police has not yet made any clear statement about the issue.
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