There is palpable tension in Bende local government area of Abia State as residents and indigenes of Bende town (community hosting Bende Police Divisional Headquarters) and police personnel in the division clashed over the death of a Wisdom Akobundu in custody..
The Nation learnt in an attempt to stop the angry youths from gaining entry into the station, the police operatives resorted to shooting sporadically into the air to scare the youths away.
This forced some shop owners around the area, which also serves as the host of the Bende local government area headquarters, to close their shops abruptly.
Those waiting in front of the local government area headquarters to board vehicle to Umuahia, the state capital and other parts of the State were said to also join in scampering for safety.
Commercial and private car owners heading to the Bende local government area headquarters, using the Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia-Arochukwu Expressway were forced to use other routes to avoid being trapped in the fracas between the youths and police officers.
It was alleged the deceased was invited for questioning by a yet-to-be identified policeman over a case involving theft of property.
According to the source, who pleaded anonymous, Akobundu was accused of buying stolen property from scavengers.
It was learnt that, Akobundu died while he was being questioned during interrogation by the investigating police team.
Yet-to-be verified sources claimed that the deceased died during interrogation after the police team brutalised him, leading to his slumping in the station.
It was learnt that at first, the affected policemen thought he was pretending, but when they realised that it wasn’t a ploy, they tried to revive him but couldn’t.
It was reported that, it was at that point the police started making frantic effort to look for a medical centre but couldn’t find any.
They were said to have decided to move him to the state capital, where he was pronounced dead at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia.
It was learnt the youths of Bende, when the news of the death of one of theirs filtered into the community,, converged and trooped to the police station demanding that the police officers involved in the death of Akobundu should be brought out.
A statement by Okorie Festus, elder brother of the deceased reads: “I, Okorie Festus, the elder brother of the late Mr. Akobundu Okorie Wisdom, speak with deep pain and anger over the cruel and conspired death of my brother in police custody.
“Evans Onyeka , a police officer, invited my brother to the Bende Police Station and he went there alive, strong, and without trouble. Hours later, we were told he was dead.
“Let it be known: the story being circulated by the police is false. My brother had never been involved in any police case or admitted to any hospital before this tragedy.
“I was called and told my brother was in police custody, but before I got there, they had already taken him to the hospital without any notice to me or any member of our family.
“More painfully, from what we’ve gathered and seen, the whole scene clearly shows that my brother, Ako, died right inside the police station before they hurriedly went to get a bus to take him to the hospital. Any attempt to twist or hide this story will not stand.
“Officer Evans and Austin, who has served in Bende for long and knows both of us very well, was there. Yet, he never called me or any of my family members. That silence is suspicious.
“We demand answers. The DPO, DCO, Inspector Evans, Austin, and every officer on duty that day must provide what killed Ako my brother, my blood, a peaceful and responsible young man.
“They should not cover this. The truth must come out, and justice must be served.”
Chairman of Bende Local Government Area, Hon. Deacon Uwabunkonye Bassey, in a statement expressed deep shock and sadness over the death of Mr Akobundu, who he disclosed hailed Ozuitem (a community in Bende LGA), but residing in the Bende community, Bende LGA.
According to Bassey, preliminary reports, have it that the late Akobundu was said to have been accused and subsequently invited to the Bende Police Station for questioning.
“Sadly, according to the officers present, during the course of the interrogation, he reportedly slumped and, despite being rushed to a hospital in Umuahia, was confirmed dead by medical personnel.
“The news of his death, which broke on Friday night, has thrown the entire Bende community into mourning and sparked protests on Saturday from aggrieved family members and residents, who are demanding a thorough investigation and justice for the deceased.”
Chimezie Princewill Okezie, special adviser on Media and Publicity to the Mayor reports that upon receiving the distressing report, Mayor Bassey immediately rushed to the Bende Police Station to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident.
He was later joined by the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, as both officials assessed the situation and engaged with officers and community representatives to ensure transparency and accountability in the matter.
Speaking during his visit, the Mayor sympathised with the bereaved family and the entire Bende community over the tragic loss.
He described the death of Akobundu as “painful”, stressing that no human being deserves to die under unclear circumstances.
Bassey with the commissioner of police, assured residents that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and that justice will be served in accordance with the law. He noted that his administration stands firmly against any form of injustice or abuse of human rights.
