Mr. Alexandra Ogbu, a reporter with the Abuja-based publication, RegentAfrica Times, was on January 14, 2020 shot dead while was returning home from official engagements at the National Automobile Technician Association (NATA). The police denied killing him but have told different stories surrounding his death.
Following his death from the gunshot, the police took Alex body and deposited it at the morgue as a victim of a motor accident, but the autopsy result put a lie to the claim.
The International Centre for Investigative Journalism (ICIR) attempted to speak to Anthony Osaigbovo, the Investigation Police Officer (IPO) of Utako Police Division who was in charge of the investigation, removal, and dispatch of the deceased corpse from the scene, but he declined to speak. The venue of Alex’s death means it was within the jurisdiction of Utako Police Division to investigate before they depose of Alex’s body.
Instead, Anthony directed the ICIR reporter to the office of the Command’s Public Relations Officer.AnjuguriManzah, the FCT Police PRO, when he was contacted only provided a press release which he said was made public by the police about the death of the journalist.
The 122 words press statement titled “Police Restores Calm at Berger Round-About after Violent Protesters by Proscribed IMN Members”, described the death of the journalist as “an unfortunate incident” but was silent on the cause of his death.
