The deceased, Anthony Ogbalor (57), aka
Dracular, reportedly died in police custody after he was allegedly tortured at
the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the police headquarters in
Asaba.
The questionable circumstances leading
to his death, triggered crisis among his kinsmen and political associates in
Isoko.
Family members and friends alleged that Ogbalor
was tortured by the police to the point of going into coma before he was served
with addictive food.
The angry family members and friends
alleged that his health deteriorated in police custody following severe
torture.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),
DSP Andrew Aniamaka, denied the allegation, describing it as "figment of
imagination of those peddling the rumour."
He said the suspect did not die in police
custody, but on his hospital bed. He explained that the Ogbalor was rushed to
hospital for treatment after developing complications in the cell.
Ogbalor was arrested last year December
with his gang members, including Henry Kessena, Kosin Henry, aka Capon, and
Kenneth Onome, around 7:30 pm.
They were arrested after snatching a
navy blue Toyota Corolla car with registration number EPE 874 DQ, while driving
through Enerhen road in Warri.
Ogbalor was arrested under the watch of
the former Delta State Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim.
Ibrahim charged for offences of conspiracy,
armed robbery and kidnapping.
Zanna explained back then that the
suspect was arrested after his involvement in a kidnap saga, where his gang
waylaid Pastor Frank Otomi and his wife Mofe at the Delta Steel Company (DSC)
Roundabout, Warri, in June 23, 2017. The pastor and his wife were driving to
church in their Hyundai Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) when they were attacked.
Zanna said: "Dracula had earlier been arrested and
charged to court over a murder case in a communal crisis at Isoko area of the
state. He was released by the court under suspicious circumstances. I
complained to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his Commissioner of Justice and
Attorney General, Peter Mrakpor, over his shocking release."
The CP said he waited to no avail for
get feedback on the matter.
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