Man dies after police torture for celebrating birthday without permission

A young man identified as Glory Imarogie has died after he was arrested and allegedly tortured by policemen who arrested him on the orders of his landlord, who is a serving police officer, SP Austin Ehiziegbe.

It was gathered that the now embattled landlord had called in his colleague after he got infuriated by the action of his tenant who celebrated one of his grand daughter’s birthday without his permission.

The incident was said to have taken place at Evbuomama community in Ikpoba-Okha local government area.

A fracas was said to have ensued between the landlord and his tenant when the deceased and his brothers resisted attempts to stop the birthday party.

SP Austin was said to have invited policemen from the the anti-cult unit and told his colleagues that cultists had invaded his residence to celebrate a birthday party.

Father of the deceased, a retired police officer, Mr. Joseph Imarogie, said his two sons were arrested during the birthday party of his grand-daughter because the landlord said he did give them permission.

Mr. Imarogie said his twos sons were arrested and tortured till they were granted bail but one of his sons had already taken ill.

He said Glory later died at the hospital .

According to him, “This policeman said why will my son celebrate birthday without permission. He locked the gate and brought out pistol. We begged him that we will come and see him after the party but he did not agree.

“I was at the hospital with my son and did not know about the mob action.”

A niece of the landlord, Odion Jimoh, said the deceased and his brothers dragged the gun with his uncle after a first shot was fired before the anti-cult arrested them.

The news of Glory’s death made irate youths in the community set the house ablaze on Tuesday morning.

It was the intervention by men of the Edo Fire Service that made the building not be razed even though household items were burnt.

On his part, the landlord said he was surprised when he received a call that the house has been set ablaze.

“I receive a call this morning that the boy that fought me and was granted bail was rushed to the hospital where he died. My family later called me that people have set fire on the house.”

Edo police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident and said some persons have been arrested.