Abia farmer’s death: Police probe case as doctor extracts three litres of pus from abdomen

The Abia State Police Command has launched an investigation into the mysterious death of a farmer, Joseph Urum, an employee of Do Good Farm, Abiriba, in the Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.

According to media sources, Urum was hospitalized and died after 3 liters of pus were extracted from his abdomen suddenly.

As controversy surrounds the incident, the paramount ruler of Abiriba, HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu (Enachoken Abiriba IV), has called for calm and justice for all parties involved.

Police Confirm Investigation, Detain Suspects

Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chilaka, confirmed to newsmen that detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) had visited the hospital where Urum died.

“We are investigating the matter. A letter has been dropped with the doctor requesting details of the treatment he received. If necessary, we will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death,” Chilaka stated.

Following Urum’s death on February 26, four of his co-workers—Oko Ukaegbu, Pastor Ejemole Ukaegbu, Maduka, and Bassey—were arrested over allegations that he died under suspicious circumstances.

The arrests sparked tension in the community, with reports that aggrieved youths had threatened to set the piggery farm ablaze.

Amid the growing unrest, the farm owner, Mrs. Onyinye Urum Ukaegbu Ibe, based in the United States, petitioned the Inspector General of Police, seeking a thorough investigation into the matter.

Grieving Family Demands Justice

Urum’s mother, Mrs. Jane Agwu Nmaju, along with his sisters, Mrs. Nne Ejituru and Mrs. Ruth Uchechukwu, have called for justice, insisting that the circumstances of his death remain unclear.

“We don’t know what killed him. Those who took him to the hospital must explain. He wasn’t sick before, so why the sudden illness and surgery without our consent?” Ejituru queried.

The family expressed suspicion over why Urum was allegedly rushed to a hospital in Mbaise, Imo State, rather than receiving treatment in Abia.

“Our mother was informed about the surgery but lives in Bayelsa. When she asked them to wait for her daughter in Umuahia, they claimed they were already at Mbaise. Before we knew it, they told us he was dead and had been deposited in the mortuary,” Ruth narrated.

They further alleged that they were prevented from seeing his body immediately after his death.

Doctor Defends Actions

Speaking on the circumstances of Urum’s death, Dr. Alexander Ohanyere, the proprietor of Evergreen Hospital & Maternity, Onicha Ezinihitte Mbaise, stated that he did everything possible to save the farmer’s life.

“I took desperate measures to stabilize him. His condition was already severe, and when I drained his abdomen, I was shocked to extract about three litres of pus. That level of infection must have been present for weeks,” he explained.

Ohanyere denied performing any major surgery on Urum, stating that he only extracted infected fluids.

Meanwhile, Dr. Joshua Okereke of Abiriba General Hospital, where Urum was first taken, revealed that he had referred the patient to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia for urgent surgical intervention.

“He had symptoms of an acute abdominal condition, which required immediate surgery. We don’t have the facilities for that, so I referred him to FMC Umuahia,” Okereke said.

FMC Umuahia Responds to Allegations

There were claims that Urum was turned away at FMC Umuahia due to lack of bed space, prompting his handlers to take him to the Mbaise hospital.

FMC’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Darlington Madubuko, said the hospital management would investigate the claims but admitted that bed space shortages sometimes force patients to seek alternatives.

“If a patient arrives at odd hours and there is no bed space, they may be asked to return later. Unfortunately, we have been dealing with social media blackmail over overcrowding,” Madubuko explained.

Farm Workers Insist on Innocence

Some workers at Do Good Farm expressed shock over the allegations of foul play, maintaining that they did everything possible to save Urum.

Mrs. Confidence Nduka, a farm employee, said Urum had been avoiding solid meals, preferring to drink tea instead.

“He complained of loss of appetite but never had issues with anyone. His co-workers took him to the hospital when he fell sick, so where is the murder allegation coming from?” she asked.

Another farmhand, Nnanna Urum Ukaegbu, revealed that the farm was established by their sister in the US to support the family.

“It makes no sense to accuse us of harming him when his colleagues were the ones running around to save him,” he said.

Monarch Intervenes, Calls for Calm

Abiriba’s traditional ruler, HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu, confirmed that he intervened to prevent violence, urging the police to handle the case professionally.

“I invited both parties to the palace, but since there were heavy allegations, I asked the police to investigate. We don’t want another crisis in the community,” he said.

The monarch also debunked claims that some youths planned to bury Urum’s body on the farm as a means of taking over the land.

“The issue of where to bury him hasn’t even come up. If police investigations show he died of natural causes, there’s no basis for such an action,” he added.

As the investigation continues, all eyes remain on the police to unravel the true circumstances surrounding Urum’s death.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook