CP Rabiu Hussaini, Commissioner of Police, Imo State addressing Governor Hope Uzodinma recently at a community engagement on breakthrough made by the Command.
By Ajibade Awofeso, Owerri.
A murder suspect in Imo State who killed a police officer while resisting arrest has died from multiple injures sustained from beatings from his community youths.
A young man whose name is identified as Chinwe Okwegbunwa in Awara community of Ohaji Egbema local government area of Imo state has been apprehended and beaten beyond recognition by members of his community for killing and police man.
According to an eyewitness who narrated the incident to our correspondent said the unfortunate incident occurred on Wednesday the 2nd of March at about 2:45pm.
“The policeman was on official duty in the community to effect the arrest of the said Okwegbunwa over a suspected murder case. He vehemently resisted arrest and in the process of dragging the riffle with the policeman cocked the rifle, pushed the nozzle towards the officers head and pull the trigger, the policeman died spot following the close range gunshot he sustained in the head”, a source in Awara community said.
Angered by the incident, members of the community teamed up and beat up Okwegbunwa.
“He was beaten to stupor and later handed over to the police”, another source said.
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When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Michael Abattam confirmed the incident, but said they are yet to come up with an official statement.
The suspect is said to have died in police custody as a result of injuries he sustained from the collective beating by members of his community.
A youth leader of the community (name withheld) said they took the step to ensure that innocent person do not partake in the punishment for what they know nothing about.
He said, if they had not acted the way they did the police will definitely storm the community to effect arrest and innocent persons will be arrested for crime they knew nothing about hence the resolution reach by the entire community to always support security agencies in the fight against criminal element.
