Nigeria: Family calls on IG to order fresh probe into death of Anambra nursing student

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

The family of Chiamaka Chilaka, a student of the College of Nursing Sciences, Alor, Anambra State, has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to order a fresh investigation into her death, alleging that she may have been murdered.

Chilaka reportedly died on June 14, 2026, at a compound where she lived in Anambra State. Her family said the circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear and have raised concerns about possible foul play.

Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the family’s lawyer, Euphemia Eleonu, expressed dissatisfaction with the way the case has been handled by the Anambra State Police Command.

One of the family’s major concerns, according to Eleonu, was the release of a key suspect, Ogochukwu Ugoeze, from detention while the investigation was allegedly still ongoing.

The family also accused the investigating officer, Supol Nwaije Francis of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, and his superior, CSP Ayorinde David, who heads the Homicide Section of the SCID, of showing bias in the handling of the case.

However, the allegations have not been independently verified.

The family further complained that the police had not provided them with an update on the investigation since Chilaka’s death.

Eleonu called on the police authorities to remove the two officers from the case and appoint a new team to conduct the investigation.

She said the family had previously written to the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State on July 21, 2026, with the letter acknowledged on July 27, requesting that Supol Francis be removed from the investigation over what they described as perceived bias in favour of Ugoeze.

The lawyer also urged the police to brief Chilaka’s immediate family on the progress of the investigation, while respecting any legitimate need for confidentiality.

She further appealed to the authorities to properly preserve all physical, forensic, documentary and electronic evidence connected to Chilaka’s death and ensure that the evidence is handled according to proper procedures.

Eleonu stressed that no suspect should be declared guilty outside the judicial process, noting that any criminal responsibility for Chilaka’s death should ultimately be determined by a competent court based on admissible evidence.

She also called for Ugoeze to be rearrested, while reiterating that the suspect should not be presumed guilty or innocent before the conclusion of due legal proceedings.