The family of Kubiat Isaac Akpan, a graduate from the University of Uyo has accused the Akwa Ibom State Police Command of torturing him to death in their facility over the allegation of belonging to a cult.
The family disclosed this at the burial of Akpan on Thursday at his hometown, Mbiopkoro Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state.
Akpan was arrested by Police operatives at Eni supermarket along Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on alleged involvement in cultism but later died suspiciously within 24-hours of being held at the Police detention facility.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Odiko Macdon, in a statement said the deceased complained of ill health while in custody and was taken to the police clinic but unfortunately died in hospital.
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The PPRO insisted that his colleagues were not complicit in the death of late Kubiat even as the commissioner, CP Andrew Amiengheme ordered for an autopsy and the arrest of the Officer who led the arrest and carried out the alleged torture to death of the deceased.
“Kubiat Isaac Akpan had been on the wanted list of Police over his involvement in cultism. When he was arrested at Eni’s store by the Police, he started complaining of not feeling well but unfortunately, he died”, part of the statement reads.
But the family lawyer of the deceased, Inibehe Effiong said the PPRO’s statement was deliberately cooked up to paint his colleagues in good light, disclosing that the autopsy carried out on the deceased’s remains showed signs of torture.
In a statement on behalf of the family at the funeral ceremony, Effiong called for the prosecution of the squad leader, Joweigha Michael, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and other operatives assigned for the arrest of the deceased.
“Having spent a good number of years studying Architecture, we should be celebrating the graduation of Kubiat, and not mourn his death. It is to the eternal shame of the Police that he was tortured to death by the very people who are paid to protect him”, he lamented.
The human rights lawyer frowned at the continuous heavy-handed approach to policing in Nigeria, noted the lack of empathy by Police, Governor Udom Emmanuel and other good-spirited individuals.