The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Andrew Amiengheme has ordered the arrest and detention of an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Joweigha Michael, over the death of one Kubiat Isaac, a fresh graduate of the University of Uyo.
KanyiDaily recalls that a Facebook user identified as Christiana Sunday had revealed that Isaac, who was the only son of his parents, was arrested and accused of armed robbery by men of the Nigeria Police Force, B division Ewet Housing Estate.
According to him, the police took the Nigerian graduate to their station without filing the case they said he had committed – not even asking him for his name and address.
Sunday alleged that Akpan was beaten to death in police custody, on that same night, before his corpse was dumped at the Headquarters Ikot Akpan Abia mortuary without informing his family.
Akwa Ibom Police React To Death Of Kubiat Isaac
Reacting in a press statement on Saturday, the commissioner of Police denounced the news on social media that Isaac was beaten to death by a police personnel.
Amiengheme claimed that Isaac who was being investigated for suspected criminal offences, took ill and was taken to the police clinic where he died.
The CP, however, ordered an autopsy to verify the remote and immediate cause of Isaac’s death while in detention, adding a diligent and transparent investigation will be conducted.
He also ordered for the immediate arrest and detention for questioning of the ASP who preliminary investigation revealed was the Officer who arrested Isaac.
The statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, on Saturday, titled, “Death of Kubiat Isaac, CP orders arrest of ASP,” reads:
“The attention of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has been drawn to news making the rounds on social media that one Kubiat Isaac who was arrested at Eni Stores was beaten to death by a police personnel.
“It is expedient to state that the said Kubiat Isaac was being investigated for the offence of suspected armed robbery and cultism, and had been evading arrest for sometime.
“He was traced to and arrested at Eni Stores on the 29th of August, 2021 and taken for questioning. On arrival at the Division, the DPO ordered that he be transferred to the State CID where the case was pending for a discreet investigation.
“Unfortunately, the Suspect said he was sick. He was taken to the Police Clinic for treatment but gave up the ghost in the process.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP AMIENGHEME ANDREW has ordered for an autopsy to be conducted in order to determine the cause of death.
“The CP who has great respect for fundamental rights notes that contemporary policing isn’t about torture and should not be tolerated, hence, has vowed that a diligent and transparent investigation will be conducted.
“To actualize this, the CP ordered for the immediate arrest and detention for questioning of one ASP Joweigha Michael who preliminary investigation revealed was the Officer who effected the arrest of the said Kubiat.”
However, the CP condoled with the deceased family and assured that the officer if found culpable, the full weight of the law would be brought to bear and he will be held accountable for his action.
KanyiDaily had also reported how a Nigerian soldier was accused of beating a 22-year-old man to death for slapping his daughter during a quarrel in a church in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
