6th September, 2017
The Nigerian Community in South Africa, on Wednesday confirmed the killing of one of its members, Mr Clement Ofoma, at Springs town, near Johannesburg.
Ofoma, 35, a native of Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra, was a businessman based in the town.
Mrs Toewry Ofoma, the wife of the deceased and South African said at Springs that about 10 South African policemen arrested her husband from his shop on Tuesday.
She said the police alleged that he was a drug dealer, but her husband denied the allegations.
“ They searched our house, his store, and other places, but did not find any substance.
“ In the process, they tortured him to confess where he kept the drugs, but my husband insisted he had nothing.
“ The police used cellophane bag to cover his face and at a point, he was struggling to breathe and became unconscious. By the time they took him to a hospital, he was pronounced dead, Toewry said.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Obosi Development Union in Springs, Mr Omezie Onyire, has expressed shock on the death of Ofoma.
“ He was an active member of our union and contributed to its improvement in South Africa.
“ We condemn his alleged killing by the police and we will pursue this case to its logical end,” he said.
Addressing Nigerians in the town, Mr Adetola Olubajo, President, Nigeria Union, South Africa, said the matter had been reported to the Nigerian mission.
“ We have also reported the matter to the Independent Police Investigating Department, a body that investigates crimes committed by the police.
“ Also, our legal department will follow the case until justice is done, he said.
Olubajo advised them to be law abiding, be united and form a chapter of the union in their area.
Some Nigerians in the town who staged a protest at the police station were dispersed by the police who fired rubber bullets.
On Aug. 30, a Nigerian, Kingsley Ikeri, 27, a native of Mbaitolu Local Government Area of Imo, was allegedly killed by the police while being interrogated for being in possession of drugs.