Boy arrested for fighting dies in police custody

A youngster identified as Uchenna Okafor reportedly died after he was arrested and kept under custody at Akwuzu Police Station, Anambra State.

A social justice advocate shared this story on his Twitter handle. The campaigner claimed that three boys were remanded last week for violence and their parents were informed.

Based on the Twitter user’s post, Uchenna’s parents were asked to pay a fine of N150,000 to bail their son. Sadly, when they got to the station on Thursday, they were informed that their son had passed away.

Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, reacted to the Tweet, saying, “I have asked the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command to look into the matter and revert please.”

The Anambra State Police Spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Tochukwu Ikenga, also reacted to the news by a statement on Monday, stating: “While we are looking into the allegation, the information before me is not a case of two fighting as alleged but a case of armed robbery.

“The Twitter handler is expected to be in the command this morning with more facts. Also, the IPO handling the case is expected with his brief this morning. Thanks.”