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The police high command on Sunday confirmed the death of the vigilante chairman of Evwreni community, in Ughelli North Local government Area of Delta State, one Mr. Tuesday Okuah while undergoing investigations in Abuja.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa who officially broke the news of Mr Okuah’s death to distraught Evwreni community leaders, youths and stakeholders disclosed that the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammad Adamu has ordered a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the late Okuah.
The New Diplomat’s checks indicate that some sources claimed that the late Okuah allegedly committed suicide while in Police custody. However, there are other conflicting accounts as to the circumstances surrounding the late community vigilante’s chairman’s death. Some say that first account is laced with inaccuracies and fabrication.
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Sources reveal that it was to examine, ascertain and establish the various purported circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Okuah that prompted the IGP to order a thorough investigation.
The Delta State Police Commissioner who was represented by the Ughelli Police Area Commander, Mr. Adamu Lawal Shinkafi, made the revelation when he paid a condolence visit to Evwreni community leaders over the untimely death of the late vigilante chief.
Recall that there was widespread tension in Ewvreni community at teh weekend following earlier reports of the death of Mr Okuah who was reportedly arrested and flown to Abuja in company of three other indigenes of the community by police detectives over alleged issues of leadership tussle in the community.
Recall also that following the earlier unconfirmed reports of the death of Mr Okuah, the tension that engulfed the community snowballed into serious crisis which triggered arson and burning of buildings by angry protesters, mostly youths who felt aggrieved over the sad incident.
Mr. Shinkafi in company of the DPO responsible for Ughelli ‘A’ Division police station, Mr. Kevin Zuokumor as well as the council chairman of Ughelli North, Mr Godwin Adode, explained to community leaders, youths and stakeholders that the IGP has already ordered a full scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Okuah, and accordingly sued for calm.
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Speaking on behalf of the community, the vice chairman of the community vigilante who was identified as one Mr Maburu, reportedly requested the Police high command to open a line of communication to enable community leaders speak with” three other persons from the community whom are also in custody of the IGP monitoring team as they will like to know if they too are alive or not.”
Maburu added: “However, we will like to appeal to the police to provide security for everyone in the community including the rich and the poor and not just some selected influential individuals.”
Meanwhile, as at Sunday, police personnel have reportedly been drafted to Ewvreni community to help maintain law and order.
Confirming this development to newsmen on Sunday, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said police operatives have been deployed to the community to restore normalcy and enforce Law and order.
“I can’t remember the number of houses that were burnt but I am aware of the incident. For now, police are trying to sue for calm. We are investigating the development at Evwreni”, DSP Onovwakpoyeya added.
