The Rivers State Police Command said the case of alleged suspect cultist Okereke Chukwudi, who died while in detention, has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to determine the cause of his death.
The police force spokeswoman, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed in a document released via the state Facebook page on Saturday that the suspect was implicated in one kidnapped case and other criminal activities such as armed robbery, including cultism.
According to the report in which the deceased was indicted, a female victim, a business tycoon whose name was withheld, was kidnapped on September 7, 2023, in the Diobu area of Port Harcourt.
The statement read in part: “The Rivers State Police Command is aware of a press conference held on May 23, 2024, by a member of the Civil Society Organisations regarding the death of one Okereke Abraham Chukwudi, who was a suspect in police custody.
“The police would like to inform the public that the deceased was implicated in a case involving kidnapping, armed robbery, and cultism. This relates to the kidnapping of a female business tycoon (name withheld) in the Diobu area of Port Harcourt on September 7, 2023.
“The victim was kidnapped by five armed gunmen and taken to a hideout in Elechi Waterside. The kidnappers were armed with AK-47 rifles, a pump-action shotgun, and locally-made pistols. The victim was held captive for seven (7) days and was released after the victim’s family paid a ransom of ₦3.5 million.
“Investigations revealed that the deceased was a member of the Dey-Gbam secret cult gang. He and his accomplices purchased one of the AK-47 rifles used during the operation. Two of the kidnappers have been arrested, and they are also members of the Dey-Gbam cult group.”
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Furthermore, Iringe-Koko explained that “sometime last month, the police held a meeting with the parents and spouse of the deceased, who were accompanied by two of their family’s legal representatives. During this meeting, it was agreed that the family would participate in the autopsy to determine the cause of death.
“The case of the death of the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigations to ensure a thorough and impartial examination of the circumstances surrounding this incident.”
However, it was noted that the commission aimed to “ensure transparency and accountability throughout the investigative process.”
