Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA) has alleged that the police in South Africa have tortured another Nigerian to death in Ladysmith, Kwa-Zulu-Natal Province.
NUSA Vice-President Joshua Itua told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria that Maxwell Okoye was allegedly tortured to death early Friday.
Mr Okoye, father of two, was said to be a native of Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Mr Itua said that according to the union’s chairman in Ladysmith Chapter, the police forced their way into the deceased’s apartment.
“While they were with him, he called to alert other Nigerians but before they could get to his apartment the police had made away with his body. Maxwell’s lifeless body was later seen at the mortuary.
“The Station Commander of Ladysmith claimed that he was met foaming as at the time they gained entrance to his apartment. Police murder inquest has been opened and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) in Kwa-zulu-Natal province have been informed for full investigation.
“Our condolence to his family and Nigerian Community in Ladysmith. We call on our government to seriously engage its counterparts in South Africa for investigation and prosecution if not a natural death.
“This is because, according to our leaders who went to the mortuary, there are bruises and blood all over his body, hence, we have every reason to believe that he was tortured to death,” he said.
