Police deny torture allegations in death of alleged IPOB financier, order autopsy

The Imo State Police Command has vehemently denied claims circulating on social media that operatives of its Anti-kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base) tortured a terror suspect, Magnus Ejiogu, to death. The command immediately issued a statement describing the online reports as “false, unfounded, and deliberately aimed at maligning the image of the Nigeria Police Force.”

According to DSP Henry Okoye, the Command’s Spokesman, the deceased, who was 49 and popularly known as Emu from Obudi Agwa in Oguta Local Government Area (LGA), was detained as a major sponsor and financier of the proscribed IPOB/ESN.

Ejiogu was accused of masterminding multiple deadly incidents, including the 2022 assassination of the traditional ruler of Abudi Agwa in Oguta LGA, Eze Ignatius Asor. He was also allegedly linked to the notorious attack on the Agwa Police Station in 2022, which tragically resulted in the deaths of five police officers, including a pregnant policewoman.

DSP Okoye provided details on the suspect’s legal status prior to his death, confirming that “Investigation into Ejiogu’s case had been concluded, and the report was duly approved for prosecution on Monday, October 20, 2025. The command confirmed that his arraignment was delayed only because of the ongoing warning strike by members of the judiciary.”

Read also: Presidency dismisses U.S. security pressure, citing Tinubu’s prior directives to service chiefs

The Command then outlined the official sequence of events leading to Ejiogu’s death on October 23, 2025: “On 23rd October, 2025, while awaiting arraignment, the suspect suddenly took ill. He was immediately rushed to the Police Clinic, Amakohia, Owerri, before being referred to the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Owerri, for medical attention. In spite of the best efforts of the medical team, a qualified medical practitioner later confirmed the suspect dead. His body has been deposited in the hospital mortuary for a full autopsy to determine the definitive medical cause of his death.”

In response to the accusations of abuse, Okoye asserted the police’s strict adherence to protocols, stating that the command firmly maintains its position that at no point was the suspect subjected to torture, maltreatment, or denied access to his family or legal representative. “All necessary actions taken during his custody were strictly consistent with professional policing ethics and due process,” Okoye added.

For the sake of transparency, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aboki Danjuma, has directed the Homicide Section of the state Criminal Investigation Department to officially establish the precise medical cause of death.

The command concluded its statement with a strong commitment to accountability, adding: “The command strongly condemns sensational and unverified reports that seek to undermine public confidence in law enforcement. The command remains resolutely committed to justice, professionalism, and accountability in the discharge of its constitutional duties.”

The post Police deny torture allegations in death of alleged IPOB financier, order autopsy appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.