Outrage in Abia: Bende Residents Storm Police Station Over Alleged Brutal Killing of Mr. Okorie Wisdom

The peaceful town of Bende in Abia State has erupted in outrage as residents stormed the local police station this morning to protest the alleged killing of a young man identified as Mr. Okorie Wisdom, who was reportedly beaten to death by a Nigerian police officer on Friday evening. The tragic incident, which occurred under controversial circumstances, has sent shockwaves through the community and ignited renewed debates about police brutality and accountability in Nigeria.

Eyewitnesses say the late Mr. Wisdom, a well-known trader in the area, was apprehended by police officers during what was described as a routine patrol around the market square. Details of the encounter remain sketchy, but several witnesses claim that an argument broke out between Wisdom and one of the officers, which escalated into a physical assault. According to multiple residents, the officer allegedly struck Wisdom repeatedly, ignoring pleas from bystanders to stop. The young man reportedly collapsed at the scene and was later confirmed dead before reaching the hospital.

As news of his death spread through Bende overnight, anger quickly mounted among the locals, who accused the police of taking another innocent life without justification. By Saturday morning, hundreds of residents, mostly youths and traders, gathered in front of the Bende Divisional Police Headquarters, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Justice for Wisdom,” “Stop Police Brutality,” and “We Are Tired of Killing Our Own.” The air was thick with grief and rage as chants of protest echoed through the streets, demanding immediate action and accountability.

“We cannot continue to live in fear of those who are supposed to protect us,” said one protester, who identified himself as Chibuike, a friend of the deceased. “Wisdom was not a criminal; he was just going about his business. Now his family is shattered, and his life is gone for nothing. We are here because this must not be swept under the carpet like every other case.”

Another protester, a middle-aged woman who claimed to have witnessed the incident, wept bitterly as she recounted the events of the previous evening. “He was begging them to stop hitting him,” she said. “People around were shouting, but they refused to listen. When he fell, they just left him there. How can those who are meant to protect lives take one so easily?”

As the protests intensified, police reinforcements were deployed to prevent escalation, though demonstrators insisted their march would remain peaceful. However, tensions ran high, with some protesters attempting to enter the police premises to confront the officers allegedly involved. Reports indicate that tear gas was fired at intervals to disperse the crowd, but the demonstrators regrouped, chanting for justice and vowing to continue their protest until the authorities respond.

The Abia State Police Command has yet to release an official statement at the time of this report, though sources within the command have confirmed that an internal investigation has been launched into the matter. “We are aware of the incident and the public outcry,” a senior police officer who requested anonymity told reporters. “The Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation to determine what happened and ensure anyone found culpable is held accountable.”

Meanwhile, community leaders and youth groups have called for calm while urging the state government to intervene swiftly to prevent further unrest. Chief Eze Ndukwe, a traditional ruler in Bende, condemned the killing and appealed to residents to avoid violence while pressing for justice through lawful means. “The loss of any young man in such a cruel manner is a wound to the entire community,” he said. “We are deeply saddened, and we call on the authorities to ensure that those responsible face the full weight of the law. However, we must not allow anger to consume us to the point of destroying our home.”

The late Mr. Okorie Wisdom, described by neighbors as hardworking and peaceful, was reportedly in his early thirties. Friends say he was engaged to be married later this year, a dream now shattered by the tragedy. His family has been inconsolable, demanding that the government step in to deliver justice and prevent further intimidation by the police. “My son was not a criminal,” cried his mother during the protest. “He was a good boy, always helping people. Now they have taken him away from me. They must pay for what they did.”

The incident has once again brought the issue of police brutality in Nigeria into the spotlight, a problem that has persisted despite the disbandment of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2020 following the nationwide #EndSARS protests. Many Nigerians say little has changed since then, with recurring reports of unlawful arrests, extortion, and use of excessive force by security personnel. Civil society organizations have begun weighing in on the latest development, urging the federal government to take decisive action to end what they describe as “a culture of impunity” within the police force.

Human rights activist, Comrade Ejiro Emeka, described the killing as “a reminder that the cries of Nigerian youths during the #EndSARS movement are still unanswered.” In a statement, he said, “We cannot continue to have the same patterns of violence and expect peace. The police must be held to the highest standards of accountability. Every officer implicated in this heinous act must face justice publicly to restore trust between law enforcement and the people.”

Social media platforms have also been flooded with outrage as hashtags like #JusticeForWisdom and #EndPoliceBrutality trend across X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. Many users shared photos of the protest and videos from the scene, with calls for intervention by the Inspector General of Police and the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti. One post read, “Another life cut short by the same system meant to protect us. When will it end?”

At the time of filing this report, the Bende protest remains ongoing, though security has been tightened around the police station and other government facilities in the area to prevent possible escalation. Youth leaders have vowed to continue their peaceful demonstrations until justice is served, insisting that they will not be silenced.

As the sun set over Bende, the cries for justice grew louder, echoing through the community and beyond. The death of Okorie Wisdom has not only plunged his family into mourning but also reignited a national conversation on police reform, human rights, and the value of human life in Nigeria. Whether this will lead to meaningful change or fade into yet another forgotten tragedy remains uncertain, but for now, the people of Bende are standing their ground—united in grief, defiance, and a shared demand for justice.