Youths protest in Bayelsa over death of armed robbery suspect in police custody

Youths on Saturday came out to protest in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital, over the death of a young man from Biogbolo-Epie community.

Goodluck Oviekeme Izigwe, the deceased, was said to have died in police custody.

The youths were said to have 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 reads.

“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.”