Protest Hits Bayelsa Over Youth’s Death In Police Custody
Angry youths from both the Epie and Atissa Kingdoms in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State are currently protesting in Yenagoa, the state capital, over the death of their colleagues from the Biogbolo-Epie community.
The male victim, Goodluck Oviekeme Izigwe, was said to have died in police custody.
Protesting the death of Izigwe, the youths over the weekend blocked the Biogbolo-Epie section of the Mbiama-Yenagoa Road and the Isaac Boro Expressway with canopies, tyres and sticks, stopping vehicular movement.
Asinim Butswat, the state police spokesman, confirmed the death of Izigwe in a statement on Saturday.
Butswat said the suspect, who was arrested for being the mastermind of an armed robbery incident that fatally injured a police officer on Tuesday, began to have a high temperature and was rushed to hospital where he eventually died.
The spokesman said Echeng Echeng, the state commissioner of police, has, however, ordered a discreet investigation and autopsy to determine the cause of death of the suspect.
“The commissioner of police Bayelsa state command CP Echeng E. Echeng has ordered for discreet Investigation and autopsy to determine the cause of death of Goodluck Oviekeme ‘m’ 27yrs,” the statement read.
“The deceased suspect was arrested in connection with the armed robbery incident that occurred on 21 September, 2021, at Biogbolo, Yenagoa, when hoodlums attacked Police Patrol team, fatally injured Inspector Ugbotor Sunday and carted away his riffle.
“Pleminary Investigation reveals that Goodluck Oviekeme was the mastermind of the attack on the patrol team. He was arrested on 22 September, 2021 at about 0300 hours, while in Police custody the suspect was observed to be running high temperature and was rushed to the hospital were he eventually died.
“The CP condoles with the family of the deceased and assures the general public that investigation has commenced and the outcome will be made public.”
