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NAN recalls that the Nigerian, Nonso Odo, 30, from Amangwu-Nkwerre, Imo State, was allegedly tortured to death by South African Police officers on Thursday.
Mr Emeka Ezinteje, Public Relations Officer of the union, told NAN in Johannesburg that the union decried the incident after receiving the report.
Ezinteje said reports indicated that the deceased, who was a barber, quarreled with a fellow Nigerian in their business centre.
“After the quarrel, the fellow Nigerian stopped a police patrol team. The barber ran when he saw the patrol team.”
According to Ezinteje, the police patrol went after Odo; 30 minutes later, the police brought back the lifeless body of the barber.
“Not satisfied with the police report, some members of the union went to see the corpse in hospital.”
He said Sgt. Nengobeni, a South African police officer at the hospital, denied that the police killed him.
The officer said the police were flagged down by somebody while the victim took to his heels.
Nengobeni said by the time the police got to the victim, he was tired and gasping for breath and was pronounced dead on getting to the hospital.
Ezinteje said the union suspected foul play and would get to the root of the case.
“We have also received reports by eyewitnesses that Odo was beaten to death.
“We have ordered a post mortem to ascertain the cause of Odo’s death. The union will also take this case to the Independent Police Investigative Department, for more investigation.
“The department is responsible for investigating wrong doings by police officers,” he said.
He also said the incident had been reported to Nigeria`s Consulate General in Johannesburg and Hillbrow Police Station, also in Johannesburg.
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