Another Nigerian ‘Tortured To Death’ By South African Police

A Nigerian, Maxwell Ikechuku Okoye, is said to have been “tortured” to death by some policemen in South Africa.

According to the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA), Okoye, an indigene of Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, was killed by operatives of the South African Police Service in Ladysmith, Kwa-zulu-Natal Province.

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NUSA President, Mr Joshua Ogade Itua, confirmed the killing to reporters on Friday.

The union claimed that the policemen forcefully gained access into the deceased’s apartment, allegedly beat him to death and took away his lifeless body.

“While they were with him, he called to alert other Nigerians but before they could get to his apartment the police had made away with his body. Maxwell’s lifeless body was later seen at the mortuary,” said Itua.

Itua said that NUSA leaders then went to the police for fact finding, noting that his death has added to the number of Nigerians that were killed either by the Police or through Xenophobia in that country.

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“The Station Commander of Ladysmith claimed that he was met foaming as at the time they gained entrance to his apartment. Police murder inquest has been opened and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) in Kwa-zulu-Natal province have been informed for  full investigation.

“Our condolence to his family and Nigerian Community in Ladysmith. We call on our government to seriously engage its counterparts in South Africa for investigation and prosecution if not a natural death.

“This is because, according to our leaders who went to the mortuary, there are bruises and blood all over his body, hence, we have every reason to believe that he was tortured to death.

“Our stand as foremost Nigerian organisation in South Africa is that all cases involving the killings of Nigerians should be investigated and prosecuted irrespective the nationality and status of the perpetrators,” said the NUSA President.

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