The Delta State Police Command has come under scrutiny after an incident involving a young man named Emeka, who reportedly died following a police chase in Asaba. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, offering clarification on the matter.
Victor Onwuemene, a user on the social media platform X, alleged that Emeka died on Wednesday after being struck by the police for refusing to accompany them to an unspecified location. Onwuemene described Emeka as his friend’s cousin and claimed his lifeless body was deposited in the mortuary later that night.
“Asaba @PoliceNG killed Emeka, my friend’s cousin, yesterday just because he refused to follow them to an unknown destination,” Onwuemene wrote. “They hit him with a gun, and the rest is history. His lifeless body is now in the mortuary 😭💔 #Justice4Emeka✊🏾.”
In response to the allegations, Mr. Edafe shared an account attributed to Emeka’s brother, which paints a different picture of the events. According to this version, Emeka and a group of others reportedly made a U-turn and fled after seeing the police. While others were apprehended, Emeka allegedly hit his head on a wall during the pursuit. He was taken to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries two weeks later.
“They sighted the police at night, made a U-turn, and started running. The police chased and arrested the others; this guy—may his soul rest in peace—ran and hit his head on the wall. He was rushed to the hospital and died two weeks later. This is the account of his brother, who came to my office in tears,” Edafe explained.
The police spokesperson also noted that there is video evidence and a handwritten statement corroborating the brother’s account. These documents, he said, were presented in the presence of the deceased’s uncle.
“Like I said, I have not even asked the policemen what happened. The account I gave is from his brother, who cried to my office two days ago. After the driver was arrested, [Emeka] approached the police with a bloody head, saying he hit his head on a wall,” Edafe added.
While expressing condolences to the family, Mr. Edafe questioned the basis for blaming the police for Emeka’s death, given the account provided by the deceased’s brother. However, public calls for transparency and accountability continue to grow, with many demanding a thorough investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding Emeka’s tragic death.
