Okwuchukwu Onyemelue

2014

Onitsha, Anambra State

Okwuchukwu Onyemelue was a graduate of architecture and the first son of his family. On that day the 24th June, 2014, he was in his father’s car with his younger sister, Emmanuella Onyemelue when members of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives stormed their residence, broke into the car, drew him out on the floor and began to beat him brutally. 

Okwuchukwu’s father came out, in utter shock, to find his son being beaten and he tried to raise an alarm. But a SARS official pointed a gun towards him, and he was forced to be silent. In that cold silence, they made away with Okwuchukwu never to be seen again by his family members.

After Okwuchukwu’s arrest by SARS, his family immediately headed to Awkuzu where he was held hostage, but they were prevented by CSP. James Nwafor from seeing their son. His friend, Malaika and his cousin, Odira Nwagbugbu who were arrested with him were released, but Okwuchukwu was never seen again. 

According to his family, around August, there was a Newspaper publication bearing the photo of Okwuchukwu and a few other men with the caption, “Boys Caught Stealing With Guns.” 

A few days after the publication, Okwuchukwu appeared on TV with a gunshot wound to his right leg and a gun in his hands, while he confessed to being an armed robber and was arrested at a fire exchange by the police!

Still the family kept on going to Awkuzu with the hope of seeing Okwuchukwu again. This was until CSP. James Nwafor told Okwuchukwu’s father that his son had been killed.