The Anambra State Police Command says it has commenced an investigation into the death of an 80-year-old man, Paul Onwualu, who allegedly died after a police-led operation linked to a traditional stool dispute in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Tuesday, said preliminary findings showed that the officers involved in the incident had been identified but were not operatives of the Anambra State Police Command.
“The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that it has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of the late Mr Paul Onwualu,” he said.
He added that the Command was treating the matter with seriousness and urged residents to remain calm while investigations continue.
“Preliminary information available to the Command reveals that the officers allegedly involved in the arrest before the sudden complication of the deceased’s health, which later led to his death, have been identified, but are not operatives attached to the Anambra State Police Command.
“The Command assures Ndi Anambra and members of the public that the matter is being handled with the seriousness it deserves to ascertain the facts surrounding the unfortunate incident,” the statement added.
Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, had directed that the investigation be carried out professionally, with a promise that findings would be made public.
“Further developments will be communicated accordingly,” he said.
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses and family members alleged that the octogenarian, who was an aspirant to the traditional stool of the community, died after being assaulted during an attempted arrest at his residence last Thursday.
The succession dispute over the Igweship stool is currently before the High Court in Ogidi in Suit No. HID/72/2026.
It was gathered that the officers, allegedly accompanied by individuals opposed to Onwualu’s aspiration, stormed his residence to arrest him when the incident occurred.
An eyewitness said the elderly man was beaten during the operation and later collapsed on his way to the police station, and added that he later collapsed and was rushed to Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital, Ogidi, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel.
The wife of the deceased, Anthonia Onwualu, also confirmed the incident, alleging that the attackers arrived with rivals in the succession dispute.
“On Thursday, the police, in company with some people who opposed my husband’s Igweship aspiration, stormed our Umusiome residence, beating my husband… before whisking him away to an unknown destination.
“I was later told that the policemen were on their way to Ogidi Police Station to detain him, but he died midway to the station and was rushed to the Iyi-Enu hospital in Ogidi,” she added.
