Rex Okechukwu, a 70-year-old traditional chief from Ochuche, Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State, has shared the painful details of his son’s tragic death at the hands of private security guards.
His 27-year-old son, Okechukwu Noel Chinedu, a final-year student at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, was shot dead by security personnel on August 17, 2024.
The incident occurred when Okechukwu, who had been home during the university’s vacation period, went to Stella Odua’s Estate to purchase fresh fish from a local pond.
Around 8:30 am, after bidding his father goodbye, Okechukwu left for the estate, but just 20 minutes later, a motorcyclist arrived at Okechukwu’s home with devastating news.
The motorcyclist informed the family that an altercation had broken out between Okechukwu and two security guards at the estate, during which one of the guards shot him.
Okechukwu died from the gunshot wound shortly afterward.
Shocked and devastated, Okechukwu’s family initially struggled to come to terms with the news. Rex Okechukwu later visited the police station at Atani on August 22 to file a report, only to be met with an accusation that his son was an armed robber.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), I. Andrew, allegedly told Okechukwu that the security guards claimed they had caught his son and his supposed accomplices trying to rob in the area, which led them to open fire.
Okechukwu vehemently denied these claims, asserting that his son had never been involved in any criminal activity.
Okechukwu challenged the DPO to provide evidence, such as a weapon or any stolen items, to support the guards’ allegations.
He also questioned the DPO about the lack of a crime report or CCTV footage from the estate that could substantiate the robbery claim.
The DPO, however, failed to provide any such evidence. Okechukwu suspects that the police officer may be complicit in covering up the security guards’ actions.
Despite his son’s body being rejected by a mortuary in Atani because of the gunshot wound, Okechukwu has not been allowed to view the body. The DPO allegedly told him that his son was an armed robber and refused him access to the corpse.
Okechukwu later learned from witnesses that the guards had taken his son’s body to a mortuary but had to provide a police report to do so. It remains unclear where the body is now, and the DPO has not disclosed further information.
Okechukwu also expressed concern that the estate’s management has not reached out or offered any assistance regarding the incident.
He fears for his safety and has refrained from visiting the estate, as he believes he could be harmed.
His son, who was on track to graduate soon, was a dedicated student with a promising future.
His death has had a profound impact on Okechukwu and his family. The traditional chief lamented the loss of his son, who had been expected to help arrange his funeral in the future, but now he is forced to bury his own child.
The Okechukwu family is demanding that the police authorities conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.
Okechukwu believes that the DPO’s handling of the case has been unprofessional, accusing him of siding with the security guards.
The family is also questioning why the guards, who were privately employed to monitor the estate, were carrying firearms, and whether they were justified in using deadly force against an unarmed man.
As the investigation continues, Okechukwu hopes that justice will be served for his son’s untimely death.
He calls for transparency and accountability from both the police and the estate management in resolving this heartbreaking case.
