A 25‑year‑old labourer, Emeka Nwafor, has died in police custody in Aso A community, Maraba town, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, sparking outrage on Thursday.
Emeka, originally from Enugu State and a resident of nearby Aso B, had until last year lived with his parents before they returned to their hometown.
Neighbours say he hired a wheelbarrow from a local owner, known as Femi, who rents wheelbarrows to labourers for ₦1,000 a day, but failed to keep up with payments.
Witnesses told reporters Emeka went into hiding for about four days after repeated demands from the owner.
Femi later organised a search that located Emeka at his home. According to those accounts, Emeka was beaten with a dangerous object before being taken to Aso A Divisional Police Station.
Sources say he was detained for several days and complained of worsening health and injuries from the alleged assault, yet received no medical attention or help to obtain bail.
He was reported to have died in his cell in unclear circumstances.
