Villagers from Ikwuano Local Government Area in Abia State staged a dramatic protest on Wednesday, bringing the lifeless body of Mrs. Williams, wife of Ikwuano Legislative Council Leader Ejike Williams, to the Abia State Police Command’s Anti-Cult Unit in Olokoro, Umuahia South.
Mrs. Williams, who had given birth just nine days prior, reportedly collapsed and died after her husband and three other councillors were allegedly assaulted and detained by the police following a petition said to have been filed by a revenue agent.
The tragic death triggered widespread outrage in Ikwuano, with protesters demanding accountability from the Anti-Cult Police Unit. Many villagers wept openly, lamenting that the officers refused to release Ejike Williams to see his wife in her final days.
Police eventually accompanied the demonstrators to Madonna Hospital Mortuary on Aba Road, Umuahia, to deposit the corpse, facilitating further investigation into the incident.
Chimeremeze Emeruwa, Special Assistant to Governor Alex Otti on Digital Economy, described how he was reportedly assaulted by a police officer known as “Tiger” when he pleaded for the release of Ejike Williams. “Now the woman is dead. We will definitely take legal action against this high-handedness,” Emeruwa said.
The detained councillors—including Ejike Williams, Sunday Uche Okoro, Ukazu Ejike, and Akobundu Agomou—claimed they were beaten inside the cell by police and other detainees, despite paying substantial sums for bail. They allege their detention stemmed from an unsubstantiated petition backed by an individual with vested interests.
Villagers and political aides criticized the unit for refusing to heed peace efforts by the Mayor of Ikwuano LGA, Anthony Nwaubani, citing claims that the police only answer to Governor Alex Otti and the state’s Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding Mrs. Williams’ death are ongoing.
