Crime
Enugu man allegedly tortured to death by Police, family seeks justice
The family of Kingsley Agwuna has demanded a comprehensive investigation and prosecution of some policemen attached to the Unity police station, Ibagwa Nike, Enugu State over the death of their son.
They also urged the National Assembly, the National Human Rights Commission and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to investigate the case, claiming Kingsley died under mysterious circumstances.
The family accused the police of brutality, torture, wrongful arrest, and other human rights violations.
The deceased was said to have been arrested on 5th of September 2024 at a popular bar located at Nkwo Nike by the policemen led by one DSP Christian Uche Okeke.
According to the family, he was illegally arrested and was not given a chance to defend himself from the allegation.
While narrating how Kingsley was allegedly killed in a petition to the human rights commission, a brother of the deceased, Ernest C. Agwuna said, “I, Mr Ernest C. Agwuna, a citizen of Nigeria residing at 3 Monastery Road, Ibagwa Nike, Enugu East LGA, Enugu State, hereby write this petition with great pain and distress to bring to your esteemed office’s attention the extreme acts of police brutality, torture, inhuman, and degrading treatment that culminated in the gruesome murder of my beloved brother, Mr Kingsley Agwuna.
“The officers involved were D.S.P Christian Uche Okeke and Inspector Romanus Ugwuanyi, who were attached to Unity Police Station, Ibagwa Nike, Enugu State.
“Details of the Incident: On the 5th of September 2024, Mr Kingsley Agwuna was arrested at a popular bar located at Nkwo Nike when police officers, led by D.S.P Christian Uche Okeke, arrived to arrest some produce revenue collectors who have their posts situated around Nkwo Nike. However, they decided to embark on a random arrest. In the process, Mr Kingsley Agwuna, a tricycle driver (Keke driver) and not a member of the produce revenue collectors, was wrongfully arrested and taken to the police station that same night.
“The following morning, on the 6th of September 2024, he was charged and arraigned in court, where he was granted bail. Unfortunately, none of his family members had been contacted before he was charged, so none were present to post bail. Consequently, the court ordered that he be remanded in prison pending his family’s arrangement for his bail.
“Upon arrival at the prison, the warders observed bruises all over his body, which left him unable to stand independently. Due to his condition, the prison warders refused to accept him from the police officers and alerted the Officer in Charge, Compt. Sunday Oyakhire. Under his instruction, the police officers, D.S.P Christian Uche Okeke and Inspector Romanus Ugwuanyi, were asked to write and sign an indemnity on the back of the charge sheet, stating the condition in which they brought him, which they did as requested.
“To our greatest shock, a friend of Mr Kingsley Agwuna, Mr Nwackukwu, was contacted on Monday, the 9th of September 2024, through a phone call informing him that Mr Kingsley Agwuna had passed away. This was later confirmed by Mr Nwackukwu on the 10th of September 2024. After that, Mr Nwachukwu inquired about the police station and the Investigating Police Officer (I.P.O) in charge of the case.
“The Officer in Charge of the prison told Mr Nwachukwu that Unity Police Division at Ibagwa Nike handled the case and that the (I.P.O) in-charge was Inspector Romanus Ugwuanyi. The phone number of Inspector Romanus Ugwuanyi was then handed over to Mr Nwachukwu for more Inquiries Since he is the Investigating Police Officer (I.P.O) of the Case.
“When Mr Nwachukwu contacted Inspector Romanus Ugwuanyi to verify the information, Inspector Romanus Ugwuanyi vehemently denied any knowledge of the case, claiming he was only instructed to take Mr Kingsley Agwuna to prison after the arraignment in court. However, it was later discovered that Inspector Romanus Ugwuanyi not only works at Unity Police Division, but was also the Investigating Police Officer (I.P.O) in charge of the case.
“I Mr Ernest Agwuna was later contacted on phone on the 10th Sept.2024, So I have to Start Coming down to Enugu to find out what really happened to my Brother Mr Kingsley Agwuna, upon arrival I went Straight to Unity Police Station where I met with the D.C.O, in person of D.S.P Christian Uche Okeke whom I tried all my best to get some Vital Information about what transpired between him and my Brother, Mr Kingsley Agwuna but he also denied Vehemently that he knew nothing about the incident.
“So I went from there to the Prison Yard where I met with the Officer in-charge in person of Compt. Sunday Oyakhire who told me that he only can tell me what happened from the time when Mr Kingsley Agwuna was Brought to the Prison. And he narrated the same as what he told Mr Nwachukwu which I have written above but at this point in time, Compt. Sunday Oyakhire told me that When he stepped down from his office to the Prison Entrance Gate he met my Brother Mr Kingsley Agwuna where he way layed on the floor at the same Prison Entrance and he, Compt. Sunday Oyakhire personally asked Mr Kingsley Agwuna what happened to Him.
“Mr Kingsley Agwuna told him that the police used a 2-by-2 Wood log to beat him while hitting him on his lungs and that it was even hard before he was able to mutter those words because he was seriously wonded. He, Compt. Sunday Oyakhire also mentioned to me that My Brother Mr Kinsley Agwuna was with a plaster at the back of his head where he has a sharp deep cut.
“Human Rights Violations: The conduct of the officers involved constitutes clear violations of Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees every individual the right to respect for their dignity and freedom from torture, inhuman, and degrading treatment.
“The Anti-Torture Act of 2017, which prohibits all forms of torture and inhumane treatment.
“International conventions such as the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT), which Nigeria has ratified.
“Demands: In light of these egregious violations and the irreparable harm caused to my family, I respectfully demand the following actions from the National Human Rights Commission:
“An immediate and Thorough Investigation: I request an independent and transparent investigation into the conduct of the police officers involved in the arrest, torture, and murder of my brother, Mr Kingsley Agwuna.
“Prosecution of the Officers Involved: The officers responsible for these heinous acts must be brought to justice through appropriate legal action.”
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command denied the allegation of torturing Kingsley to death.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe insisted that the deceased did not die in police custody nor was he arrested by officers from the mentioned station.
“There’s no such report of wrongful arrest, torture and death of anyone at the mentioned station please,” he told SaharaReporters.
ENUGU — The Enugu State Police Command says it has arrested five male suspects in separate operations across the state and recovered three firearms, six rounds of live ammunition and other exhibits.
The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, October 8, 2026, by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe.
According to the statement, police operatives attached to Inyi Division responded to a distress call about an armed robbery at Umuaor, Umukabia Isiama Awlaw Community, Oji-River Local Government Area, at about 5:10 a.m. on October 7.
One suspect, identified as 26-year-old Arinze Osita Onwuaso, was arrested while other suspects reportedly fled the scene. Police said they recovered a locally made cut-to-size single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, a pry-bar, hammer, scissors and chisel from him.
In a separate operation on October 5, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested two suspected cultists, 24-year-old Jonas Adejo, also known as J-Money, and 25-year-old Okoro Innocent, also known as Virus, at Umudioka Community in Nsukka.
Three live rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from the suspects. Police said the two men confessed during interrogation to membership of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.
Meanwhile, on September 25, operatives of Aninri Division, working with members of the Neighborhood Watch Group, raided a suspected criminal hideout at Amagu Mpu Community in Aninri LGA.
The operation led to the arrest of 25-year-old Anichebe Ogbonna, from whom police said one locally made pistol was recovered.
Similarly, on September 18 at about 11:00 p.m., operatives of 9th Mile Division, acting on information and in collaboration with Neighborhood Watch members, arrested 38-year-old Chukwujekwu Chukwuemeka at Ameke-Ngwo, Udi LGA.
He was arrested over alleged involvement in armed robberies in the area. Police said one cut-to-size pump-action gun and one live cartridge were recovered from him.
The Command said investigations into the cases are ongoing and that the suspects would be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended members of the public for providing information and praised the police operatives for their response to credible intelligence.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led operations against armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes, while urging residents to remain vigilant, law-abiding and supportive of security agencies.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Awka High Court, on Tuesday, denied bail to the General Overseer of Day Spring Assembly, Mr Harrison Anazodo, who is standing trial over alleged offences relating to his activities as a pastor.
Anazodo had applied for bail on health grounds, but the presiding judge, Justice Jude Obiora, rejected the application, citing concerns over possible interference with witnesses.
The development came as seven persons, believed to be members of the congregation, are expected to testify in the case.
The court adjourned the matter until October 16 for further proceedings.
Speaking shortly after the hearing, State Counsel, Victoria Ekwerekwu, commended the Anambra State Government for its efforts to tackle alleged fraudulent activities by some religious figures.
She said, “We thank Governor Charles Soludo for trying to sanitise our society from pastors who make the younger generation believe that making money without hard work is possible.”
According to her, the prosecution has established a prima facie case against Anazodo, although the state would still be required to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
“Today, there is a prima facie case against the accused, Mr Harrison Anazodo, though it is left for us to prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
“The court ruled on the bail application and denied him bail because of the witnesses, to ensure that they are not interfered with. The matter was subsequently adjourned until October 16,” she said.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, expressed optimism that the case would be concluded expeditiously, stressing that the ultimate decision rests with the court.
“We have been here since 9am. The court considered the bail application filed by his counsel and, after weighing its merits, the judge ruled that bail should be denied.
“We are looking forward to the quick dispensation of the matter and we assure you that justice will be done and will be seen to have been done,” Mefor said.
By Our Correspondent
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue operation for 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and other passengers abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
The victims were reportedly abducted on Thursday, October 1, 2026, around Umunoha in Imo State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the statement, Nadada arrived in the state alongside two Commissioners of Police and immediately conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the incident and the ongoing rescue operation.
He also reviewed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel and available assets, while issuing additional directives aimed at strengthening the coordinated response.
The assessment was conducted alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso; the Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations, CP Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; other service commanders and members of the management team of the Imo State Police Command.
Iniedu said the search-and-rescue operation had been intensified, with additional tactical teams and operational assets deployed to identified areas.
He added that the operation was being supported by intelligence-led tracking of the abductors and coordinated efforts with other security agencies.
Nadada assured members of the public that the police remained committed to securing the safe release of the abducted persons.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to securing the safe rescue of the 20 abducted persons and will sustain the operation until the mission is successfully concluded,” Iniedu quoted Nadada as saying.
The police boss urged members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant, while appealing to anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to contact the police or the nearest security formation.
He assured the public that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The police said further updates would be provided as the rescue operation progresses.
Five men have been arrested and arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Maiduguri, Borno State, after police allegedly found them wearing T-shirts bearing the words “Tinubu Must Go.”
The defendants were identified as Baba Aji Gremami, 44; Mustapha Abba Yemen, 28; Abbacha Mohammed Ali, 32; Adam Umar Gubio, 21; and Abdulhamid Mohammed, 21.
According to a First Information Report issued by the State Criminal Investigation Department, the incident occurred on September 25, 2026, near West End Roundabout in Maiduguri.
Police charged the five men with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri.
Their lawyer subsequently applied for bail. The court adjourned the matter until October 6, 2026, to rule on the bail application, while the substantive trial has been scheduled for October 26.
The case has drawn attention because the alleged conduct involved wearing clothing displaying a political message.
Amnesty International criticised the prosecution, describing the arrests as arbitrary and arguing that peaceful political expression is protected by fundamental human rights. The organisation called for the immediate release of the five men and urged authorities to discontinue the case.
Amnesty International also expressed concern that the prosecution could have implications for political expression and opposition activities in Borno State.
The case has generated reactions on social media, with some commentators questioning whether the display of political messages on clothing should constitute a criminal offence.
There have also been allegations that a prominent politician in Borno State may have influenced the arrests. The allegation has not been independently verified.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso, were reportedly unsuccessful as of the time of filing.
The defendants remain subject to the court process, and the allegations against them have not been established in court.
The Jigawa State Hisbah Board has arrested eight people in Kazaure Local Government Area over alleged homosexual acts, according to the board.
The board’s Public Relations Officer, Dauda Hadejia, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Hadejia said the arrests followed a complaint filed by a 22-year-old man, who alleged that nine individuals had engaged in sexual acts with him on different occasions.
According to the statement, the complainant also claimed that he later contracted HIV, which he attributed to the alleged encounters. He reportedly appealed to the Hisbah authorities for justice, describing the alleged conduct as deceptive and harmful to his life.
Following the complaint, Hadejia said Hisbah operatives launched an investigation and began searching for the nine individuals named by the complainant.
“So far, eight suspects have been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspect,” Hadejia said.
He added that the eight arrested individuals reportedly admitted during preliminary investigations to having engaged in sexual acts with the complainant.
Hadejia said the board had gathered information and evidence that would be presented before a court. He added that the investigation remained ongoing and that the suspects would be charged upon its completion.
The Deputy Commander-General of the Jigawa State Hisbah Board, Dr. Hussain Baban, reportedly urged parents to pay closer attention to their children’s upbringing and the people with whom they associate.
He also called on members of the public to be mindful of the consequences of their actions and to uphold religious and moral values.
The board further expressed appreciation to the Jigawa State Government for its support and cooperation in carrying out its responsibilities.
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