By EMMANUEL UZOR, Onitsha
…2 killed, DSS operatives on the run
..SARS tortures bizman to coma
It was a bloody weekend in various parts of Anambra State as no fewer than two persons were killed in separate incidents around the commercial city of Onitsha, just as doctors battled to save a businessman who was allegedly abducted by operatives of the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and tortured to coma.It was gathered that in the separate incidents that occurred on Saturday and Sunday in Ogidi and Awada-Obosi, both in Idemili North Council Area, a 28-year-old man, Augustine Nwankwo from Ogboji-Ezzaegu in Ishielu Council Area of Ebonyi State was hacked to death by four men driving a Corolla car, while a middle-aged man, whose identity could not be verified at press time, was allegedly shot dead by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Ogidi .Also, Mr. Akabuogu Onyeka, the Managing Director of Arise Nyekas Industries Limited is lying critically ill at Iyienu Hospital, Ogidi, following alleged torture in the hands of operatives of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Okpoko Division. According to sources, Augustine, a trader at Mgbuka Obosi, met his death when his motorcycle allegedly, rammed into the Toyota car in Awada-Obosi and the angry owner of the vehicle hit him in the head with his car jack, resulting in his death.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in-charge of Awada Police Division, Mr. Dimale Joseph, confirmed that the driver of the Corolla car, identified as Henry, had been arrested, saying three other suspects, including Henry’s younger brother, who allegedly smashed Augustine’s head with a block, were still at large.
Also in Ogidi, two operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) are currently on the run, following alleged murder of a young man in a businessman’s compound in Ogidi. A security source, who pleaded anonymity said the two suspects, allegedly acting on the orders of a businessman, shot the man dead and fled the scene.
The source said the businessman that invited the operatives had been arrested by the police and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka while DSS had launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects. It was also gathered that doctors at the Iyienu Hospital, Ogidi were battling to save the life of the Managing Director of Arise Nyekas Industries, Mr. Akabuogu Onyeka, who was allegedly abducted and turtured by SARS operatives.
Speaking to our reporter, counsel to the businessman, Peter Ikebuaso, said his client was arrested by a SARS team at a filling station in Onitsha on July 21, dragged to the police station in handcuffs, beaten to coma and detained for several hours before he was released.
Threatening court action, he urged the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Usman Gwarry, to order investigation of the alleged brutalisation of his client and prosecute the culprits, as he threatened to seek relief in court against the operatives of SARS for allegedly attemping to murder his client.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the two murder cases but denied knowledge of the alleged brutalisation of Akabuogu by a SARS team.
