Onyeche Wofurum Igwe
Egbeda community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State was thrown into confusion yesterday following the sudden death of Teddy Chukwu, a member of the Egbeda Security Planning and Advisory Committee (ESPAC).
According to a source who wished to remain anonymous, Chukwu was allegedly poisoned and had been experiencing symptoms such as vomiting blood whenever he coughed for over a month before his death.
The source also revealed that Chukwu’s brother and wife, who passed away earlier, are still in the mortuary awaiting burial.
However, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Egbeda police station, Joseph Ohiwuere, disputed the poisoning claims, stating that Chukwu had been ill for some time.
Ohiwuere emphasized that only a medical doctor can determine whether Chukwu was poisoned and that an autopsy would be necessary to confirm the cause of death.
He expressed skepticism about the poisoning allegations, pointing out that Chukwu’s symptoms were evident weeks before his death.
The DPO noted that Chukwu’s health issues were apparent, and his smoking and drinking habits may have contributed to his condition.
Ohiwuere urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading rumours that could cause trouble, emphasizing the importance of relying on factual information.
He said: My brother, at times, people will just sit down and begin to talk what they don’t know. I’m not a medical doctor, I am a policeman but from my observations, two weeks ago when I went to their office, when he coughed and brought out the spit, I saw blood. I said, this man, it’s like you are sick. He said he was on treatment. So if somebody said they poisoned him, then I ask who, when, how? Was it three months ago? Was it last month? Was it today?”
“This is what you will look into. That man have been sick. If his people said they haven’t noticed it, they are liars. You all know he smokes and drink everything. We all know that, I don’t know how to hide the truth. Was there any autopsy carried out? People should stop carrying rumour that will cause trouble. That is my stake.”
Meanwhile, the remains of the late ESPAC member have been deposited in the mortuary and a group of persons sent out for a “spiritual search” to find out the actual cause of his death.
