The Eke Royal Family of Woji Town in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has called for thorough investigation into the circumstances sorrounding the death of Kenneth Nyebuchi Eke by the police at the Woji Police Division.
It would be recalled that the late Nyebuchi Eke was allegedly beaten to death by the OC Surveillance attached to the Woji Police Division .
According to the family, the deceased body was later discovered at an uncompleted building at Chokocho Etche in Etche Local Government Area.
Addressing newsmen at Woji, elder brother to the deceased and former Chairman of Obio/Akpor, Local Government Council, Hon Solomon Abel Eke, said the family is calling for thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of his brother, and the discovery of his body at Chokocho Etche.
According to him, his brother was arrested by the surveillance team of Woji Police Division as a result of a minor issue between him and his tenant.
“Nyebuchi Kenneth Eke was arrested illegally by the Surveillance team of Woji Police Division and then the only offence was that he had issues with his tenant who had refused to pay him his rent over the years which he had tolerated”, he stated.
He alleged that police men, led by the Woji Police Division surveillance team, arrested him.
In his words, “Not only arresting him, but started beating him and just beat him to the level that the man passed out”.
He said after the death of his brother, the OC Surveillance refused to report the matter to the Divisional Police Officer of the Woji Police Division.
Eke also wondered how and why his brother’s remains had to be carried to Chokocho Etche from Woji, where the incident occurred, adding that from Woji to Chokocho Etche was about 25 kilometres.
“For him to drive this long to Chokocho to drop the body there at a particular place, how did he come about knowing the area?”
He said the Surveillance team at Woji should be properly interrogated with a view to unravelling the mystery behind the discovery of the uncompleted building where the body of Kenneth Nyebuchi Eke was dumped.
The former Obio/Akpor boss said the family will get to the root of the matter with a view to ensuring that justice is done on the matter.
He said the family and the Ikwerre Ethnic nationality has no problem with the Ogonis despite the fact that the tenant involved in the matter was from Ogoni.
Also speaking, the Ojiowhor Oro Eke Royal Family of Woji Town, Dr Las Eke, said the family is embarrassed by the incident, adding that the family will not rest until justice is done on the matter.
Dr Eke wondered why a police officer meant to protect the citizens would turn out to kill the very people that he is meant to protect.
He said the police officer concerned must be properly investigated and disciplined to serve as deterrent to others.
On his part, Chief Clement Eke expressed regrets over the incident, saying the death of the deceased “has dealt a big blow to the entire family”.
He urged the police not to sweep the incident under the carpet and vowed that the family will pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.
Another Elder of the family, Chike Eke urged the youths not to take the laws into their hands as the family is on top of the matter.

By: John Bibor & Mercy Olu Igbanibo