A septuagenarian, Mrs. Comfort Ubaka, 75, has raised the alarm over an alleged killing of her son, Stephen Afamefune Ubaka and the continuous detention of her octogenarian husband by the police for the last four months.
 
The mother of the late Stephen, an Okada rider, who was embittered by the unfortunate incident, appealed to Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to immediately wade into the matter, and ensure that justice is served.
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Speaking to newsmen, yesterday, at her residence in Ogbe Odogwu, Azungwu Quarters, Ogwashi Uku, Aniocha South Local Council of the state, Mrs. Ubaka specifically appealed to the police boss to release her husband from detention, alleging that his detention was a “conspiracy by highly placed personalities in the community.”
 
She explained that trouble started when a chieftaincy title that was traditionally reserved for Azungwu Quarters was bestowed on someone else by Ogwashi-Uku monarch in outright contravention of the extant traditional laws.
 
According to her, the elders of the community went to the palace to express their reservations over the turn of events; a situation that did not augur well for the Palace.
 
She said: “As a result of this development, 29 elders and youths of Azungwu Quarters were listed as enemies of the Palace. But, 10 persons, including my husband have been in detention for four months over frivolous petitions, bordering on murder, rape and arson, among others.”
 
On her son’s death, Mrs Ubaka said: “My son went to bring back his children from school when two people appeared, and asked him to enter the vehicle at Rainoil Station. 
 
“He refused and they beat him, and pushed him into the vehicle. They took him to the Palace, tied his hands with a belt and beat him until he became unconscious.”
 
According to her, a good Samaritan brought her son home and when she saw his condition, she took him to the police station to report, but was rebuffed by the police on account of the high personalities who were mentioned.
   
Mrs. Ubaka said since she could not leave her son with the police, she took him to the hospital. 
 
“At the hospital, he was vomiting blood that would fill a bucket. I was wondering what happened to him. It was barely one week after and he died.”
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The Guardian learnt that before he gave up the ghost, the deceased spoke at length in a video on what he suffered at the hands of the fleeing assailants. 
 
Meanwhile, some aggrieved residents of the community, including elders and leaders, have condemned the murder of the Okada rider.
 
They alleged evidence of palpable fear in the area occasioned by an atmosphere of insecurity and fear of who next would be arrested by the police. 
   
Those who spoke on condition of anonymity decried the hopelessness in the town, which has enveloped Ogwashi Uku lately. 
   
They disclosed that 10 out of the 29 persons penciled down for arrest including one Illoba Obata, who did video recording of the deceased before his demise, were already being detained at the correctional centre.
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They, therefore, called for a thorough investigation to unearth those behind the killing and bring them to justice saying: “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Others said they were tired of constant harassment and intimidation and can no longer go to their farms, which according to them was their main source of income, and called on the government to intervene immediately.
 
Reacting, the Palace spokesperson, Prince Onyema Okonjo, said the matter was under investigation, and advised those invited by the police to honour the invitation to enable the police expedite action, and bring the culprits to book.
 
When contacted, spokesperson for the state Police Command, Bright Edafe, said the police are not aware of the case.
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