The Cross River State Police Command has denied reports that it released the alleged killers of an eight-month pregnant woman in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of the State.
On July 26, 2024, the deceased, Nneoyi Sunday Felix, allegedly died during a physical altercation with a couple, Mrs. Ofem Usani Augustine and Mr. Augustine Bassey.
According to her family, the couple and other suspects allegedly assaulted the expectant mother by strangling her to death in circumstances which they described as “questionable but malicious”.
The family claimed that in a bid to cover the unlawful act, the suspects allegedly paid a quack doctor to remove the baby from the deceased’s womb, after which they deposited her corpse in the mortuary, UGEP General Hospital and also buried the newborn.
Consequently, the couple absconded but the family wrote a petition to the Cross Rivers State police command which was approved.
The suspects were tracked, arrested at their hideout.
The family further claimed that a few hours after their arrest, the suspects were allegedly released on the order of the Commissioner of Police in Cross Rivers, CP Augustine Grimah.
However, a statement signed and issued in Calabar on Monday, by the spokesperson of the command, SP Irene Ugbo on behalf of the CP said the prime suspects, Mrs. Ofem Usani Augustine and her husband Mr. Augustine Bassey, are still in their custody.
The Police Boss assured the public that following the arrest of the suspects, investigation has commenced, and the findings will be communicated promptly, calling on peddlers of fake and unverified information to desist.
“The attention of the Cross River State Police Command has been drawn to a publication dated August 17, 2024, which has been widely circulated on various social media platforms and blogs,” the statement read.
“The Command considers this report a deliberate attempt by the authors to tarnish the already established public trust and the cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Cross River State Command, and the citizens who actively participate in maintaining law and order.
“In response to this baseless and misleading information circulated by mischief-makers, Commissioner of Police, CP Gyogon Augustine Grimah, PSC, FCAI, wishes to inform the general public that the prime suspects, Mrs. Ofem Usani Augustine and Mr. Augustine Bassey (her husband), were apprehended in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, in the early hours of August 18, 2024.
“This arrest was carried out by Detectives attached to the State CID, Calabar, following a written petition calling for a discreet investigation and diligent prosecution concerning the death of Mrs. Nneoyi Sunday Felix (deceased).
“The CP reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to policing Cross River State and its environs with the principles of Equity, Fairness, and Justice, ensuring the maintenance of public safety. The Command will not relent in its efforts to uphold these values.
“The Commissioner of Police assures the public that with the arrest of the suspects, the investigation has commenced, and the findings will be communicated promptly.
“In light of this, the CP strongly urges bloggers and social media platforms to refrain from spreading unfounded, untrue, and defamatory information that harms innocent and law-abiding citizens in Cross River State and Nigeria as a whole.
“Meanwhile, no suspect(s) is or, are arrested anywhere in the state in connection to this matter. However, any one that has claims in regards to the fictitious write up should visit the Police Command Headquarters with his or her facts, please.”
