Police deny killing IPOB’s sponsor in custody

The Imo State Police Command has denied the social media report that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base) tortured a terror suspect, Magnus Ejiogu, to death.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye, made this known in a statement issued on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Okoye described the report as “false, unfounded, and deliberately aimed at maligning the image of the Nigeria Police Force.”

Okoye stated that the 49-year-old deceased, popularly called Emu, was identified as a major sponsor and financier of the proscribed IPOB/ESN.

He said the deceased from Obudi Agwa in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State was responsible for multiple deadly attacks, including the assassination of the traditional ruler of Abudi Agwa in Oguta LGA, Eze Ignatius Asor, in 2022.

He said the suspect was also linked to the attack on Agwa Police Station in 2022, which resulted in the killing of five police officers, including a pregnant policewoman.

The police spokesman stated: “Investigation into Ejiogu’s case had been concluded, and the report was duly approved for prosecution on Monday, October 20, 2025.

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“The command confirmed that his arraignment was delayed only because of the ongoing warning strike by members of the judiciary.”

Narrating the events leading to the suspect’s death, Okoye said: “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 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.”

According to Okoye, 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,” the police spokesman added.

He stated that for transparency, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, had already directed the Homicide Section of the state Criminal Investigation Department to establish the precise medical cause of the suspect’s death.

The Star