The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) has condemned the killing of one Prince Muoka Ebuka, a 43-year-old Nigerian national from Obosi, Anambra State.
The incident took place on the morning of Friday, 17 May 2024, in Danielskuil, Northern Cape in South Africa.
This was contained in a statement by the NUSA National Publicity Secretary, Habib Miller, and made available to newsmen on Saturday.
“This incident highlights a disturbing trend of police abuse targeting Nigerians in the Northern Cape.
“Since March, there have been similar cases in Kimberley involving drug accusations and police violence. Another Nigerian, Chika Anuino, was killed by police in Springs, Johannesburg, on 25 April”, NUSA revealed.
According to the statement, reports from Ebuka’s wife, Joyce, indicated that law enforcement officers stormed their home, forcing her to evacuate to protect their young child from the violence.
Ebuka was then assaulted and pressured to produce drugs allegedly in his possession. When nothing was found, the officers took him to a waste dump, accusing him of hiding illegal substances there.
Eyewitnesses alleged serious misconduct, noting that the officers requested pepper spray after exiting Ebuka’s residence.
Despite using drug detection methods, no drugs were discovered.
The intense interrogation reportedly led to Ebuka’s death, and concerns about the investigation’s integrity have arisen due to the improper preservation of the crime scene.
NUSA said, “Reports from Ebuka’s wife, Joyce, paint a harrowing picture of law enforcement officers storming their residence, compelling her to evacuate to shield their young child from witnessing the violence.
“Ebuka was then subjected to assault and coerced to produce drugs allegedly in his possession. When their search proved fruitless, they forcibly escorted him to a waste dump, alleging he had concealed illegal substances there.
“Eyewitnesses further allege egregious misconduct, with officers resorting to coercive tactics, including requesting pepper spray after emerging from Mr Ebuka’s residence.
“Despite employing drug detection methods, no evidence was found, yet the relentless interrogation tragically led to his demise. Moreover, the lack of proper crime scene preservation raises grave doubts about the integrity of the investigation”, NUSA stated.
Miller noted that further distress was caused by the police’s refusal to issue a statement or allow the family to open a case docket.
He added that Joyce Ebuka faced intimidation when she tried to report her husband’s death.
NUSA further demanded a thorough, impartial investigation into Prince Ebuka’s killing and the broader issue of police abuse in the Northern Cape.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, condemned the death of Ebuka, asserting that one death was too many.
Balogun called for a thorough investigation into the incident and emphasised that anyone found responsible should be held accountable.
“Condemnable and sad. One death too many. We are calling for an investigation, and anyone found culpable should face the music”, he noted.
