Man Dies in Police Custody While Trying to Secure Wife’s Release

Tragedy strikes as a man reportedly dies inside a police station while attempting to secure the release of his detained wife. Authorities launch an investigation into the incident.

The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the death of Nnaemeka Ugwu, a patent medicine dealer, at the Nsukka Area Command while attempting to secure his wife’s release from detention.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the command refuted claims that its personnel tortured Ugwu to death.

In a viral video, the family members of the deceased claimed that Ugwu was subjected to harassment, detention, and torture by police officers at the Nsukka Command.

Nonetheless, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, denied these allegations and labeled them as misleading. He clarified that Ugwu collapsed at the command without experiencing any form of torture. Although he was promptly taken to the hospital, he was declared dead upon arrival.

In describing the incident, Ndukwe asserted: “The command clearly confirms that Nnaemeka was neither arrested nor subjected to harassment, torture, or killed while in police custody, contrary to the allegations.”

In response to these allegations, officers from the Nsukka Area Command, working alongside the Neighbourhood Watch Group, first detained Jerry Uche (27) on suspicion of armed robbery and involvement in stealing and selling motorcycles. Subsequent investigations resulted in arresting three additional male suspects: Emenike Ezugwu (also known as Eternal, 28), Omeje Chidera (nicknamed Dakpor, 27), and Omeje Obinna (referred to as Obaino, 37).

During the operations, police seized three locally made pistols—including a revolver—two live cartridges, and three motorcycles allegedly stolen from victims. They also found substances suspected to be Indian hemp and plastic-piped bottles used for consuming methamphetamine (locally known as ‘Mkpụrụ Mmiri’).

After their confessions, one of the suspects guided officers to Obollo-Afor in Udenu LGA, where several individuals suspected of receiving stolen motorcycles were captured on February 6, 2025. Among them was Uroko Ifeanyi Moses (also known as Sim-Card), aged 28, who admitted his involvement and assisted the operatives in recovering two of the stolen motorcycles from Obollo-Afor. Additional arrests included Mr. Nnaemeka’s wife, Ngozi Nnaemeka, related to this case.

Ndukwe clarified that, despite widespread rumors, the deceased actually collapsed and was then taken to the hospital.

On February 7, 2025, Nnaemeka visited the Area Command Headquarters alongside Hon Onyemaechi to arrange for his wife’s release. During their visit, Nnaemeka unexpectedly collapsed and was promptly taken to the hospital for medical attention. However, he was later pronounced dead by the attending physician. His body has been placed in the mortuary awaiting preservation and autopsy procedures.

In the meantime, Police Commissioner Kanayo Uzuegbu has expressed his condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased.

He instructed the deputy commissioner overseeing the State CID to carry out a discreet investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding Nnaemeka’s sudden collapse and death.

Ndukwe reported that the commissioner urged community members, especially the youth, to collaborate with law enforcement, uphold peace, and utilize proper channels for voicing their grievances and concerns.