THE Delta State Police Command has arrested and arraigned three suspects in connection with the alleged torture of a resident by a community leader and members of a local vigilante group in Emevor, Isoko North Local Council.
Those arrested were Chairman of Emevor Community, Lucky Okeremu, 48; Okiemute Oyibo, 46; and Karo Akamakusi, 45.
They were arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, assault occasioning harm, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace and threatening the life of the victim, contrary to Sections 516, 355, 249(e), and 86, respectively, of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C21, Vol. I, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.
The Command’s spokesman, Bright Edafe (SP), in a statement on Friday, July 10, said the incident, which was captured in a video circulated on social media, immediately drew the attention of the Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, who directed the Area Commander in Ozoro to conduct a swift and discreet investigation.
“The investigation, which was further reinforced by a petition from concerned human rights activists, established that on July 5, 2026, about 0815hrs, the suspects, acting in concert with others now at large, unlawfully apprehended the victim and took him to a hotel in Emevor Community, where he was allegedly subjected to severe humiliation, physically assaulted, inflicted with bodily injuries and allegedly threatened with death.”
Edafe stated that efforts were on to arrest the remaining suspects still at large.
In his reaction, Oyeniyi reiterated that while the Command recognises the role of community leaders and vigilante groups in supporting security efforts, no individual or group has the authority to assault, torture, intimidate or subject any person to unlawful punishment.
Oyeniyi warned that anyone who takes the law into his own hands will be prosecuted, urging vigilante groups to always hand over suspects to the Police for lawful investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.
