IGP Orders Full-scale Probe Into Death Of Vigilante Chair In Police Custody In Abuja

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammad Adamu has ordered a thorough probe into circumstances surrounding the death of the late Tuesday Okuah, a vigilante chairman who reportedly died in police custody while undergoing investigation in Abuja.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa who officially broke the news of his death to leaders, youths and other stakeholders in Evwreni community, said that the IGP has ordered full-scale investigation into the death.

BIGPEN had reported that Okuah alleged death in custody had sparked wide range violence in Evwreni Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State

The development which snowballed into a major crisis in Evwreni, led to burning of several houses and vehicles as outrage continued over the reported death of the vigilante chairman who was arrested some months ago by the police.

This medium had reported that some sources claimed he (Okuah) committed suicide while in detention. Others had disputed the claims alleging he was killed by the police in custody.

The development, according to our source had prompted the IGP to ordered full-scale investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the death.

The Delta State Police boss who was represented by the Ughelli Police Area Commander, Mr. Adamu Lawal Shinkafi, said that the IGP had directed that the death should be investigated to ascertain how the former vigilante chairman died.

He spoke during a condolence visit to the community on Sunday.

According to sources, the visit by the police to the community became imperative as a result of brewing tension in the community following earlier rumoured death.

BIGPEN recalls the deceased simply identified as Tuesday Okuah, was arrested by the police tactical team from Abuja following a petition that he was instrumental to the killing of one Sylvester, a younger brother to the immediate past Executive Director, Projects of the NDDC, Engr. Samuel Adjogbe.

Sylvester was reportedly killed by community armed youths in July this year on the heels of the leadership crisis rocking the outlawed Evwreni vigilante group which was formerly chaired by Okuah.

Also, recalls there have been tension in the community following the arrest of Okuah before news filtered in on Saturday that he was allegedly killed in police custody, a development which had sparked the orgy of violence.

Miffed by the reported death, members of the disbanded vigilante loyal to Okuah were said to have gone on rampage on Saturday night, destroying houses and cars belonging to perceived enemies.

The rampagers, it was gathered shooting sporadically shot the former President-General of the Kingdom, Olorogun Victor Ohare and burnt three houses including the home of Alhaji Unuagha Mumaika, a former chairman of the Delta Muslims Pilgrimage Board, which was also damaged.

But Mr. Shinkafi in company of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ughelli ‘A’ Division police station, Mr. Kevin Zuokumor and the Ughelli North council chairman, Godwin Adode, assured the people of the community that the police will be embarking on a thorough probe on the situation.

The police team where received by a former vice chairman of the community, Ohwe Clever on behalf of the community.

Speaking on behalf of the community, the vice chairman of the community vigilante simply identified as Maburu, appealled to the police to open a channel of communication with the other three persons from the community whom are also in custody of the IGP monitoring team as they will like to know if they too are alive or not.

Tasking the police on need to secure the community, Maburu said: “However, we will like to appeal to the police to provide security for everyone in the community including the rich and the poor and not just some selected influential individuals.”