Police reacts as man ‘buried alive’ in Anambra resurfaces

Mr Olisa Igbonwa, who was falsely accused of being buried alive while assuming a chieftaincy title in Anambra State, has resurfaced.

Igbonwa, who is a relative of Dr Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, had assumed a chieftaincy title that several in the community believed he did not deserve. As a result, the elders of the village staged a fake funeral for him.

He was placed in a casket and brought around the neighborhood before being buried while still alive, according to a magazine.

However, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, the State Police Command’s spokesperson, stated that Igbonwa came to the command to submit a statement against his community’s elders.

The man in issue was never buried, according to the police spokeswoman.

“The Anambra State Police Command has been attracted to a viral video clip and online publication saying that one Chief Olisa Igbonwa was buried alive in Alor, Anambra State by the Elders of Okebunoye village, Alor, Idemili South local government area of Anambra State,” he said.

“The elders assembled and decided to bury and lament Mr Igbonwa alive for claiming the title of ‘Ichie Ngene’ in the village on his own.”

“The publication is not only false but also misleading. The Command wishes to state that Olisa Igbonwa is alive and was never buried alive as alleged in the publication.”

He said that Igbonwa claimed that he was threatened by Mr Uzoma Igbonwa and others after receiving a chieftaincy title from HRM Igwe Alor.

Ikenga stated further that Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng has ordered an investigation into the matter.