Outrage In Nasarawa As Emeka Nwafor Dies In Police Custody Over N4000 Debt

Tragedy struck on Thursday in Aso A community, Maraba town, in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, as a 25-year-old labourer, Emeka Nwafor, died in police custody over an alleged N4,000 debt.

Emeka, an indigene of Enugu State, was said to have been residing in Aso B, the next community.

Sources disclosed that he had previously lived with his parents before they relocated to their hometown last year.

According to eyewitness accounts, the deceased had hired a wheelbarrow from a local owner identified as Femi, who rents wheelbarrows to labourers at a daily fee of N1,000.

However, Emeka reportedly failed to remit the agreed payments as scheduled. Despite repeated demands and protests from the owner, he allegedly went into hiding and was not seen within the community for about four days.

Angered by the development, Femi was said to have organised a search party, which eventually traced Emeka to his residence.

Eyewitnesses alleged that instead of taking him directly to the police, he was severely beaten with a dangerous object before being dragged to the Aso A Divisional Police Station.

The victim was reportedly detained for several days despite complaints of worsening health conditions and injuries sustained from the alleged assault.

Sources further revealed that Emeka remained in custody in that condition without receiving medical attention or assistance to secure bail.

He was later reported to have died in the police cell under unclear circumstances.
Efforts to get an official response from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) proved unsuccessful, as the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) was said to be unavailable when our correspondent visited the station.