The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the death of a patent medicine dealer, Nnaemeka Ugwu, who reportedly collapsed at the Nsukka Area Command while attempting to secure the release of his detained wife.
According to the command’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, Ugwu, a native of Umuezejor, Obollo-Afor in Udenu Local Government Area, was never arrested, harassed, or tortured, contrary to reports circulating in a viral video.
The video, shared by relatives of the deceased, alleged that police officers detained and assaulted Ugwu, leading to his death.
The command countered allegations that Ugwu was tortured to death by police officers, describing such claims as misleading.
Providing further details, Ndukwe explained that officers from the Nsukka Area Command, in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, had arrested a suspect, Jerry Uche (27), for alleged armed robbery and the theft of motorcycles. The investigation led to the arrest of three more suspects—Emenike Ezugwu (alias Eternal, 28), Omeje Chidera (alias Dakpor, 27), and Omeje Obinna (alias Obaino, 37).
During the operation, security operatives recovered three locally made pistols, including a revolver, two live cartridges, three stolen motorcycles, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, and plastic bottles used for consuming methamphetamine, locally known as Mkpụrụ Mmiri.
Following the suspects’ confessions, one of them led the police to Obollo-Afor, where additional arrests were made. Among those detained on February 6, 2025, was Ugwu’s wife, Ngozi Nnaemeka, in connection with the case.
On February 7, Ugwu, accompanied by one Hon. Onyemaechi, visited the Area Command Headquarters to seek his wife’s release. While there, he suddenly collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead by the attending doctor. His body has since been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, extended condolences to Ugwu’s family and ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
He also urged community members, particularly the youth, to remain peaceful and engage with law enforcement through appropriate channels to address their concerns.