Following the statement made by Rivers State Commissioner of Police ,CP Joseph Mukan, on the death of Philip Brown aka ‘School Boy’ and the reaction by the uncle to the deceased, Daniel Manfred, the death of ‘School Boy’ is now a source of controversy.
CP Mukan had in a press briefing last week Thursday said ‘School Boy’ was not tortured to death at the Eagle Crack facility as widely insinuated but rather he died as a result of mob action.
CP Mukan disclosed that the deceased was involved in criminal activity and was allegedly apprehended with an AK- 47 rifle at Soku (Okwelle) Waterfront, Mile 2, Diobu, Port Harcourt by residents who beat him to stupor.
The police boss revealed that the police and local vigilante rescued the deceased from the mob but he died at the Eagle Crack Unit out of exhaustion the moment he was brought to the station.
However, the uncle to the deceased, Manfred Daniel, in an interview with National Network dismissed the claim by the Rivers State Police Command.
Mr Manfred alleged that ‘School Boy’ was tortured to death and called for a thorough investigation of the incident.
Earlier, one Mike Pepple who said he was a cousin to ‘School Boy’ and a resident of Soku (Okwelle) Waterfront alleged he was tortured to death.
Mr Pepple explained that some youths of the area had chased away armed men who came to rob in the area and recovered AK-47 rifle from them.
He disclosed that an argument broke out between vigilante in the area and the youth over who will hand over the gun to the police.
Mr Pepple revealed that the vigilante called in the police when the youth insisted on going with them to hand over the gun to the police but the vigilante opted that the youth should hand over the gun to them which the youth refused.
Another resident of the area who gave his name as Senibo collaborated the claims of Mr. Pepple that ‘School Boy’ was allegedly tortured to death after his arrest.
A group known as Diobu Vigilante Service had in a statement on its Facebook page said
“Diobu (Vigilante) Security Services today, Monday 6th of September 2020 recovered one AK47 at Okwelle Water Front in Miles 2 Diobu Port Harcourt, which was handed over to the E Crack Commander.
“Sunday 5th August was like a nightmare in most of the Waterfronts like Obidianso, Nwachukwu, Anozie, Echue, Ukwatu, Timber, Okwelle etc, as two cult groups by name Lamedian & Foundation all in Degbam fighting carrying arms, shooting, breaking windscreen of car’s pack on there.
“Diobu (Vigilante) under intelligent gathering swing into action & apprehended one school boy by nickname who in return gave us names like Augustine & one Dr & we recovered the said Ak47 with double magazine which we handed over to the E Crack Commander. Let God take all the glory”.
It would be recalled that four ex-police officers who were serving at Eagle Crack Unit of Rivers State Police Command are facing trial at Port Harcourt High court on charges bordering on conspiracy and murder and were also accused of torturing an Ikoku mechanic Chima Ikwunado to death last year December.
