The Nigerian Police Force has confirmed the death of a 23-year-old student of the Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Uwana, Ebonyi State, who was allegedly drugged to death on his birthday by his friend on Thursday.
The deceased identified as Chinedu Hope was lured by his friend, Dan, after much persuasion to a hideout operated by a drug baron, simply known as Yoko in Umuodudu Ibeku.
Mrs Stella Ogbonnaya, Dan’s mother, recounted that when they arrived at the location, Chinedu, who did not use hard drugs, decided to wait for Dan inside his (Dan’s) Keke while Dan entered the bunk.
Ogbonnaya stated that after waiting too long, Chinedu decided to go into the place to phone Dan.
According to PUNCH, she said, “When Chinedu went inside, the operator of the hideout, Yoko, and four others who are also from Umuodudu were all in the hideout.
“When Chinedu got inside, Yoko said that whoever steps into the bunk, must partake in what they are taking. But Chinedu doesn’t take ice, (otherwise known as methamphetamine or mkpurummiri) or jico and Chinedu told Yoko he wouldn’t take it.
“It was at that time that Yoko ordered the rest to tie Chinedu with rope. Dan assisted them in tying him, both hands and legs, threw him on the ground, mixed the ice (methamphetamine) and jico, used a spoon to open his mouth, and poured the mixed substance into his mouth while hitting him with a hammer to make him swallow it.
“After he had swallowed all of the mixed substance, they took him to where they had digged a pit and threw him into the pit. He was struggling inside the pit with both hands and legs with the rope while he kept shouting ‘my stomach, my stomach’”, Ogbonnaya narrated.
When they noticed Chinedu was struggling to breathe, Madam Ogbonnaya stated, one of the individuals at the hideout picked up his phone and called a young man known only as Aham, telling him what had happened.
Aham rushed the dying Chinedu to the Keke to revive him, and when he was taken to the hospital, he was pronounced dead.
Reacting to the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO in Umuaha, ASP Maureen Chinaka confirmed the incident stating that “investigation is on”.
The PPRO continued, “On 19/4/2024, the Central Police Station (CPS) Umuahia received a report from Hope Oluoha, a 52-year-old Male of Agbo Emede Ibeku Umuahia that on 18/4/2024, one Daniel Otuechere male 27 years old of same address took his son, Hope Chinedu Prosper, male 23 years old to an unknown destination and returned home with his lifeless body.
“The body was taken to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.
“Detectives from the Command visited the scene and the body has been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.
“Suspects connected with the crime have been arrested, and a discreet investigation is ongoing.”
(PUNCH)