PRESS STATEMENT
VIRAL VIDEO ALLEGING POLICE INVOLVEMENT IN THE DEATH OF A CIVILIAN: ABIA STATE POLICE COMMAND COMMENCES INVESTIGATION
1. The Abia State Police Command is aware of a video circulating on social media, particularly on Facebook, which a young girl and her family alleged that officers from Owerrinta Divisional Police Station were responsible for the death of their father during an arrest carried out in the course of an investigation.
2. However, according to the DPO’s Report, on 23/06/2026, a complaint was received at the Owerrinta Divisional Police Headquarters alleging that the family of Nwachukwu Abraham stole cassava. The Investigating Police Officer (IPO) assigned to the case proceeded with his team to effect an arrest on 24/06/2026. Upon arrival at the suspect’s residence, the suspect stated that he was ill and had recently been discharged from the hospital, as he is suffering from kidney and liver disease, and was unable to go with them to the station. The IPO, through the suspect, contacted the village head, who came and confirmed that he was sick. The IPO requested that the village head ensure the suspect is brought to the station the following day by 0800hrs for his statement.
3. Meanwhile, the suspect’s wife and their two daughters were taken to the station for their statements. But, the Mayor of the Local Government called the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and requested their immediate release. The DPO obliged and released them to the woman leader of the community, with a directive that they report back to the station by 0800hrs the next day for their statements. On 24/06/2026, the woman leader brought the two (2) daughters to the station without their parents. They were subsequently given another date to return with the complete family, which they are yet to comply with.
4. The Command views this allegation with utmost seriousness, and the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, has directed the DPO and all the parties involved be brought to headquarters for his interview, after which the case will be moved to the Sate Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation. Discreet investigation has been initiated to establish the true circumstances surrounding the incident.
5. The Abia State Police Command remains committed to upholding professionalism, accountability, and the rule of law. Members of the public are hereby assured that the investigation will be conducted with transparency and findings made public upon the conclusion of the investigation
6. The Command further urges the public to remain calm and refrain from drawing unsubstantiated conclusions while the investigation is still ongoing.
Signed
DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka�LLB, anipr, MNISMA�Police Public Relations Officer
FOR: Commissioner of Police�Abia State Command
28th June 2026
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