The youth leader of Ezinano community in Awka-South local government Area, Anambra state, Mr. Tochukwu Nwokoye has raised alarm concerning an alleged plan by the officer in charge of Rapid Response Sqaud, Awkuzu in Oyi local government area of the state, Supol Ifeanyi Iburu to frame him up with a murder case.
He alleged that Supol Iburu has perfected a plot to bury a corpse in a part of their land his community is currently in dispute with their neighbouring Umuzuocha people.
Nwokoye who recently slammed Supol Iburu with a N20m Court action for allegedly arresting and detaining him between 10am to 10pm on 4th September, 2024 illegally in connection with the land dispute raised alarm in a statement to newsmen on Sunday that accused youths in his community of killing people and burying them on their land.
The Ezinano community youth leader alleged that Supol Iburu had earlier told him that if they could not locate any grave on the disputed land, that he would kill someone and bury the corpse there so that youth of his community would be called to answer the question.
Recalling his ordeal recently in the hands of the RRS commander, Nwokoye told our correspondent yesterday in the hospital where he was taking treatment, that he had been passing through a terrifying experience which he would not wish his worst enemy.
He said that they were in their ancestral land at Ezinano when suddenly ,a team of police men led by Supol Ifeanyi Iburu stormed the place, started shooting sporadically,ordering them to lie down or be shot dead.
Nwokoye said that before the incident he had not met the RRS commander before, so he did not know him, saying that he wonders why he stormed their ancestral land in a commando style forcing them to lie down or be killed.
He said" We were at our land at Ezinano on first of September 2024. We have plotted the land , fenced it ,even our women have planted cassava there. When we went there, we discovered that some people came with excavators and were destroying our crops, removing beacons.
" We sent our Youth Secretary to B division, in Awka ,to make entry along with the ladies who planted cassava there. The Divisional Police Officer in charge of B.division sent two policemen to know what was happening, before then we had stopped those people with excavator from destroying our crops and removing our beacons.
" As we were there, suddenly,we saw some people with guns shooting and asking us to lie down or risk being killed. We obeyed and they are about 15 in number. As the Youths leader,I asked them what was the problem, instead, they started beating me.
" One of the B Division officers sent by their DPO told them that they were there to investigate the problem, but at the same time, he was also beaten , describing him as one of the accomplice of criminalities in the town.
" They took me away to RRS headquarters at Awkuzu and after reaching Ukpo- Abba junction, Iburu started calling one Peter that he should bring out AK47 rifle from the armoury. When I asked him what was happening,he threatened to kill me and said we have been killing people and burying them in that land, thinking that nobody knows. He told me that if they could not trace any grave there,they will kill one person and bury him there, and we will answer the question.
" When we got to Awkuzu RRS Station,they brought out one AK 47 rifle, tried to hang it on my neck,I resisted it and they started beating me again and forcefully hung the gun on my neck and took pictures of me with the gun.
" After that, he ordered that I be sent to cell five, meanwhile,he had not taken any statement from me. As I got inside the cell,I saw about seven malnourished persons and they told me for three months they have not eaten. Not up to 30 minutes, one died and they took him away. " Nwokoye stated.
He further said that, " At about 6.30 to 8 pm they called my name that I should wear my clothes. I worn my clothes,they started threatening to kill me again and I asked again , what is the problem? He said that we have been killing people and burying them in that land. He said that if they could not find any one ,they will bury one for us and show the AK47 he found with me.
" I never knew we were heading to the office of the State Commissioner of police and when we got there,the CP asked him whether he recovered the AK47 from me, he said no. He asked him again, whether he snapped me picture with AK, he said no,then, the CP directed he should go and release me."
Nwokoye further expressed fears toward the alleged plots of Supol Ifeanyi Iburu against him considering so far he has gone to incriminate him with gun.
One of the Community leaders of Ezinano, Chief Arinze Ekelem described Nwokoye as patriotic son of Ezinano community.
According to him, Nwokoye loves his people and his people love him too, noting that whatever concern his people, concerns him.
He said that he was surprised when he learnt that awkuzu RRS arrested, detained and tortured him.
Ekelem equally expressed surprise that a rifle was hung on his neck and the Awkuzu police took pictures of him with the gun.
"We don't need to quarrel with the Police,they are doing good jobs but they should do their work according to dictates of the Constitution. RRS is not supposed to be involved in land matter," he said.
He said that even if somebody had reported any infraction,the police should do their due investigation and not resorting to self help, threatening to kill and harassing innocent people.
He however cautioned that nothing happens to the young man, noting that though, Nwokoye is a human being, " he should be entertaining some fears given his experience with the police."