The Benue State Police Command has denied reports that its operatives killed a suspected armed robber, Philip Kpentuman, who died while in custody.
The spokesperson of the command and a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Udeme Edet, said this in a statement issued on Friday.
She said the command’s Commissioner, Emenari Ifeanyi, had ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of Kpentuman’s death.
According to Edet, the suspect was arrested on September 20 by operatives of Operation Zenda, who also searched his house.
She said he later led operatives to a hideout at Tse-Tamen settlement, Ugondu, Makurdi, the state capital, where a locally made pistol and five cartridges hidden in a nylon bag were recovered.
She said: “After the recovery, the suspect asked to ease himself but instead attempted to escape from custody.
“He was rearrested with the help of youths in the community, who almost lynched him because of his criminal record, before the Police rescued him.
“Shortly after being rescued, the suspect complained of severe body pains.
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“He was rushed to Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.”
Edet said that the body had been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.
She maintained that the police strongly refuted claims of extrajudicial killing, saying their actions were aimed at saving lives.
The spokesperson added that the State Criminal Investigation Department had begun further investigation, and findings would be communicated in due course.
