By Kamsi Anayo
A Twitter user has protested an alleged demand of N350,000 by Anambra State Police Command to release the corpse in its custody for burial.
The former Mr Universe, singer and actor, Slami Ifeanyi was shot dead by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Umubele in Awka, capital of Anambra State on Sunday.
It was learnt that the 31-year-old songwriter was driving in his newly acquired vehicle when he was attacked and killed.
The Twitter user, @princenenchecfr, in the protest raised the alarm in a tweet as he sought the help of the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and his Lagos State counterpart, Benjamin Hundeyin.
The tweep claimed that his friend was murdered on Saturday and the police were demanding N350,000 before the deceased could be released for burial.
He tweeted, “Hello sirs @BenHundeyin and @Princemoye1, my friend was murdered in Anambra on Saturday and no leads till now.
“Currently the police at CPS Awka is asking for N350,000 to release his corpse for burial. What is the hope of the common man in Nigeria? Please help us!”
The state Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident.
He said the corpse had been released to the family and that the protesting Twitter user had reached the command to thank it for its intervention and cooperation.
Ikenga added, “We are aware of the shooting that took place that day which led to the death of the young man. Preliminary information reveals that it is cult related. I will follow up. Meanwhile, we have three suspects in custody.”
