Wetin start like an ordinary Thursday afternoon for residents of Umueze Nwaoriubi in Anambra State quickly turn to gbege, as one Inspector Okechukwu Ezema of the Nigeria Police Force was reportedly gunned down by angry youths who catch am dey rob Point of Sale (POS) operators.
Wetin pain people pass be say, na the same Inspector wey suppose dey protect dem — na im dem accuse say don dey terrorize the community with him team for long. According to multiple sources, Ezema and some of his colleagues allegedly form gang wey dey use their uniform do thief work, always pretending like dem dey make arrests, only to collect money from POS attendants by force.
“Dem don turn uniform to license,” one of the residents talk. “Every time dem come this side, fear go catch everybody wey dey sell for POS.”
Na for Orodo Road, after Umueze Nwaoriubi axis, dem say the team don dey operate like this for weeks, maybe even months.
But July 17, 2025, be the day everything scatter. Eyewitnesses talk say Inspector Ezema meet him waterloo when youths of the community corner am red-handed during one of the alleged operations. Dem no even waste time — jungle justice enter full swing.
A video obtained by standarddailypress shows two lifeless bodies — one na police officer, the other na civilian. The clip, full of tension, also capture voices debating who the dead man be:
“This one no be the commander,” one voice talk.
“Na the commander be this o,” another respond.
In another video of almost six minutes, a man believed to be a police officer dey dragged and insulted by a mob shouting, “Ole! Thief! See una police!”
Whether na the same officer wey die or another one from the gang, nobody still confirm am as of now.
“Dem dey waka around for commercial bus wey no get police marking,” one youth leader reveal. “Once dem spot POS person, dem go stop, claim say dem dey do arrest, then clear the person money.”
Police later confirm say Ezema, who dey attached to the Nwaoriubi Divisional Headquarters, died alongside a civilian during “an arrest operation.” But dem also admit say two constables wey follow am run comot, leaving their bus behind.
According to leaked internal communication:
“SAD NEWS: ONE INSPECTOR OKECHUKWU EZEMA… HAS BEEN SHOT DEAD… ALONG ORODO ROAD AFTER UMUEZE NWAORIUBI ON HIS WAY TO ARREST. HE WAS KILLED TOGETHER WITH A CIVILIAN, WHILE THE TWO CONSTABLES HE WENT WITH RAN AWAY.”
But for the street, the talk no be like that. Residents insist say dem no be robbers, and say na karma catch up with Ezema that day.
“Today na payback,” another eyewitness say. “Dem don too collect money from innocent people. God no dey sleep.”
As at the time of this report, Anambra State Police Command never drop official statement. Calls to spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga no go through.
Meanwhile, this incident don highlight one growing concern for the Nigeria Police: how off-duty policemen carrying guns in mufti dey face attacks from citizens who no sabi whether dem be criminals or real officers.
To respond, police headquarters for Abuja don issue fresh directive, urging officers to shine their eye well-well when carrying service weapons in plain clothes — especially for high-tension zones like Anambra, Benue, Plateau, and the South-East in general.
According to a document SaharaReporters see, dated July 17, 2025, and signed by the AIG (Assistant Inspector-General of Police) in charge of Protection:
“Officers are to use extreme caution when operating off-duty with firearms while in plain clothes. Misidentification by members of the public is becoming a serious issue.”
This saga wey unfold for Anambra na big lesson — say no matter the uniform, if you misuse power, one day e go bounce back like rubber band.
May the souls of the deceased rest in peace — but make justice follow the matter reach the final bus stop.
