Tragedy struck in Anambra State as a yet-to-be-identified man reportedly fell off a police vehicle and lost his life. The incident occurred on Wednesday at Ọgbọ Ọgwụ Market, located on Port Harcourt Road in Onitsha, the commercial hub of the State.
A circulating video on social media, accompanied by a male voiceover, depicts the sequence of events leading to the victim’s demise. According to reports, the man was apprehended by police officers who entered the market and confiscated goods from traders.
In the video, it is alleged that shortly after the arrest, while the police officers were speeding away from the market in their vehicle with both the confiscated goods and the handcuffed victim, he fell from the moving vehicle and struck his head on the asphalt, resulting in his death. The footage shows the victim lying motionless on the ground, still wearing handcuffs, as bystanders gather around, expressing shock and capturing the scene on video.
When contacted for comment, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed awareness of the viral video. He indicated that the video had been forwarded to the Onitsha Area Commander for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the alleged involvement of police officers.
Tochukwu assured the public that the Command is actively pursuing the matter and emphasized the commitment to unraveling those responsible for the tragic incident.
“I am aware of the trending video and have escalated it to the Area Commander Onitsha for investigation, especially regarding the allegations of police involvement. Meanwhile, the Command urges for calm and assures that those responsible for this inhumane act will be identified,” said the PPRO during a conversation with this reporter.