A fresh graduate of the Niger Delta Innovative Institute, Umuaka, identified as Sopuluchi ThankGod Emeka, has died under questionable circumstances after being arrested and transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command, popularly known as Tiger Base.
Emeka, who hails from Umuaka in Njaba LGA of Imo State, was arrested on Sunday, August 3, by officers of the Umuaka Police Station following what family members described as a minor argument with a lady resident at the station.
Arrest Over Minor Dispute Turns Tragic
According to his father, Emeka Ujunwa, Sopuluchi was detained at the Umuaka Police Station on the day of the incident. But when he returned the next day to check on his son, officers informed him that the young man had already been transferred to Tiger Base in Owerri.
“I was shocked to learn of his transfer. A female officer told me to return by 4 pm before she opened up that they had taken him to Tiger Base,”
— Ujunwa told FIJ.
Ujunwa said he immediately sent his lawyer to Tiger Base to inquire about his son’s condition. The lawyer reportedly confirmed that he saw Sopuluchi from a distance but was not allowed to speak with him. They planned a joint visit for Wednesday, August 6.
Father Receives Call: “Your Son Is Sick” — Hours Later, He’s Dead
Before the planned visit, Ujunwa received a call that his son had suddenly fallen ill. But upon arriving at Tiger Base with his lawyer, officials informed him that Sopuluchi had died.
“They claimed my son used his hands to kill himself. I asked how that happened and for his belongings, but they told me not to bring it up again,”
— the grieving father said.
Family Denied Access to Body and Personal Belongings
Shockingly, Ujunwa said the police have refused to release his son’s body, as well as the personal items he was arrested with, including phones and bank cards.
He added that money belonging to the boy’s mother is still in the account, but the family has been denied access.
“I have not even seen his body. They refused to allow me to set eyes on him. I don’t have anything to fight them. Only God will fight for me,”
— Ujunwa lamented.
Sopuluchi was his father’s second son.
Police PRO Responds
When contacted, the Imo Police PRO, Henry Okoye, initially did not take calls. Hours later, he told FIJ he would forward the complaint to Tiger Base for inquiry.
On Sunday morning, he sent an update asking the family to be referred to him directly.
“Thank you for bringing this to the notice of the Imo State Police Command. Please refer the family to me so we can commence investigation,”
— Okoye stated.
Family Seeks Justice
The mysterious death of the young graduate has sparked outrage, with many demanding a transparent investigation into what transpired at Tiger Base between Sunday and Wednesday—four days after Sopuluchi’s arrest.
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