By …as IGP sends condolences
Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
The Deputy Inspector-General and head of the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Joseph Egbunike, who died on Tuesday night, allegedly died from a fish bone that was stuck in his throat.
Egbunike’s death, according to sources who spoke with FIJ, began from the seemingly harmless consumption of a meal on Tuesday night.
The late DIG was reportedly eating a meal in his office on Tuesday when “a fishbone stuck in the wrong place.”
“He was eating in his office when he got hooked in the throat by a fishbone, and all efforts to retrieve it proved abortive.
“He had to be rushed to the hospital, where doctors successfully removed it via a surgery,” a source reportedly narrated.
The Police Chief, according to the account, felt better after the procedure and returned home.
“However, not long after returning home, he started feeling great discomfort again and had to be returned to the hospital; that is where he eventually died,” the source concluded.
Another source, who also confirmed Egbunike was at the hospital to remove the fishbone, said the DIG, being obese, was always at risk of worsened health condition after any surgical process, no matter how uncomplicated it seems.
“His health was so fragile because he was obese,” said the source, “and he tried his best to manage it, for example with the standard bed inside his office that enabled him to rest at short intervals whenever he felt weak.”
Until his death, Egbunike was in charge of the highest investigating arm of the Nigeria Police.
Its functions include investigation and prosecution of serious and complex criminal cases within and outside the country.
The department also coordinates crime investigations/prosecution throughout the force.
Egbunike had, in late 2021, investigated suspended police chief, Abba Kyari, but did not indict him despite indictments by the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In July, Egbunike also faced contempt following the alleged disobedience of the order of the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division.
Egbunike graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka with BSc in Accounting.
He also had a Bachelor of Law, a master’s in International Relations and a PhD in Criminology.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has expressed sadness at the sudden demise of DIG Joseph Obiajulu Egbunike, PhD.
According to a statement by acting Force spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the senior police officer died at about 9:00p.m of March 8, 2022 at the National Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness.
He described DIG Egbunike as “a dedicated and seasoned police officer who served the nation in various capacities including as the Commissioner of Police in charge of Police Accounts and Budget.
“An officer with finesse and commitment to intellectual development and was instrumental to the achievements of the giant strides within the Police architecture.
“The Inspector-General of Police hereby condoles with the immediate family, relatives, and friends of the deceased DIG who passed away in active service of his fatherland and prays for the repose of his soul,” the Acting Force Public Relations Officer noted.
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