Protesters wailing, rolling on the floor at Police Station as Suspect dies during Police interrogation
Protesters wailing, rolling on the floor at Police Station as Suspect allegedly dies during Police interrogation
Tension erupted in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on Monday as about 150 women stormed the local police station to protest the death of a young man, Akobundu Wisdom Okorie, who reportedly died while being interrogated by police officers last week.
Carrying green leaves, a traditional symbol of mourning, the women sang dirges and wept openly, with several of them seen rolling on the ground in front of the station in grief and anger.
The protesters accused the police of brutality and misconduct, demanding that the officers allegedly responsible for the incident be dismissed and prosecuted.
Speaking on behalf of the women, Madam Chinyere Grace and Mrs. Joy Uwa described the incident as heartbreaking, questioning how a healthy young man who merely responded to a police invitation could end up dead within hours.
Gathered at the station, the women held prayer sessions, declaring that they were entrusting the case to God to seek justice for the deceased.
Reacting to the unrest, Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, visited the Bende community over the weekend to address residents and restore calm. He confirmed that the officers involved in the interrogation have been detained and are under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Umuahia.
“I assure you that justice will be done,” CP Isa stated, pledging a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Okorie’s death and urging the community to remain peaceful as the probe continues.
