Obinna Uchendu
Abakaliki
The Management of the Ebonyi State Police command and the Student Union Government of Ebonyi State University yesterday exchanged words over the death of a 300-level student of institution identified as one Ayogu Evans in a ghastly car crash along the ever-busy Nkaliki road Abakaliki.
It was gathered that the student in the department of Sociology was alleged to have died in the car crash while being chased by the police.
The deceased was said to be driving alone when the tragic accident occurred. He was subsequently rushed to the hospital where he sadly passed on a few hours later.
A source who spoke on grounds of anonymity confirmed that he was being chased by the police when he suddenly had an accident
The source also alleged that the police officers who were chasing him ran away after he had the accident adding that the police officer later returned to the scene of the accident to take away wrecked car to their station at Liberation Estate.
Reacting to the incident, the Student Union President of the institution, Tobias Oshim said that after being informed of the death of the 23 year old student, he conducted a site inspection and a thorough examination of the accident location.
The SUG President said that the deceased was neither under the influence of alcohol nor drugs at the time of the accident adding that it was also established that the location of the accident was unusual for him suggesting he was there due to the police chase.
He noted that an eyewitness, a tricycle rider involved in the accident, confirmed the police chase, involving three officers in a van.
The SUG President stated that the union leaders met with the State Police Commissioner, Mrs. Ogodo Augustina, to discuss the incident adding that the discussion focused on two primary concerns: seeking justice for Evans and addressing the issue of police brutality in the state.
The President emphasized that the core issue was police brutality, not just the chase, citing several instances of police misconduct.
He noted that peaceful student demonstration was organized to protest against recurring instances of police brutality in Ebonyi State.
But in a swift reaction, the Police Command said that police operatives on snap stop and search around Nkaliki road sighted a vehicle that was approaching their checkpoint but suddenly reversed and speded off.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya said the actions of the driver raised the suspicion of the police operatives which made them pursue the vehicle adding that the driver did not stop till he was involved in an accident along Oriuzor road.
She noted that traffic officers were alerted and with the effort of good citizens, the victim Ayogu Evans a student of Ebonyi State University was conveyed to the hospital where he unfortunately gave up the ghost.
“Circumstances surrounding his death which is still shrouded with controversies, made some students of Ebonyi State University conceive the idea of a protest against police actions.
“The Commissioner of police, CP Augustina Ogbodo immediately addressed the student leaders and assured them that their concerns would be thoroughly investigated and anyone found culpable will be sanctioned accordingly.
She maintained that the commissioner of police encourage the citizens to support the police while they carry out their mandate and to report any unprofessional conduct of police officers on duty to the police authority. Ends
