Some residents of Ikwuano Local Government Area in Abia State on Wednesday staged a dramatic protest at the Anti-Cult Unit of the Abia State Police Command in Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA, carrying the lifeless body of Mrs. Williams, wife of the Leader of the Ikwuano Legislative Council, Ejike Williams.
The late Mrs. Williams, who had given birth nine days earlier, reportedly collapsed and died after her husband and three other councillors were allegedly assaulted and detained by the police following a petition allegedly authored by a revenue agent.
Her death sparked widespread anger in Ikwuano, prompting villagers to bring her body to the police station, demanding accountability from the officers for the tragedy.
The protesters wept openly and condemned the police for refusing to release the detained lawmaker to see his wife in her critical condition.
Under pressure from the demonstrators, a police team from the Anti-Cult Unit escorted the villagers to deposit the body at Madonna Hospital Mortuary, Aba Road, Umuahia, to allow for a thorough investigation.
Narrating the incident to journalists at the mortuary, the Special Assistant to Governor Alex Otti on Digital Economy, Chimeremeze Emeruwa, said a police officer known as “Tiger” assaulted him on Tuesday while he pleaded for the release of Ejike Williams.
“He pounced on me because I pleaded with the police to release the man to go and see his wife who just gave birth some days ago.
“Now the woman is dead. We will definitely take legal action against this high-handedness,” Emeruwa said.
He added that the police rejected peace efforts by the Mayor of Ikwuano LGA, Anthony Nwaubani, claiming they only take orders from Governor Alex Otti and the Abia State Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa.
The detained councillors, including Ejike Williams, Sunday Uche Okoro, Ukazu Ejike, and Akobundu Agomou, also alleged they were beaten inside the cell by policemen and other detainees, despite paying substantial sums for bail.
They insisted their detention stemmed from an unsubstantiated petition sponsored by an individual.