Hosea Yakubu, a police inspector has died after allegedly being tortured by four military personnel attached to the Eleme Petrochemicals, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Eyewitnesses said Mr Yakubu, a father of two was badly beaten by the soldiers on Sunday for driving against traffic.
A relation said Yakubu and two other officers were on their way back to base from patrol duties when they drove against traffic due to heavy traffic build-up on the road.
A video which circulated on the internet showed Yakubu on the wet floor writhing in pain after being manhandled by the soldiers with a soldier threatening to shoot a witness who was recording the incident.
The relative said the three officers were stopped by one of the military personnel on mufti who challenged them for driving against traffic.
An argument ensued leading to the army officer to slap the police officer driving the car.
It was gathered that the deceased came down and challenged him, leading to other soldiers joining their colleague to start a fight.
After being hit with a plank on the head by one of the soldiers, the police officer fell down and could not move.
The relative said the officer was rushed to a nearby hospital from where he was referred to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH.
He said the officer was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and died 24 hours later.
It was gathered that his corpse has been taken to Gombe State, his state of origin for burial.
