The Benue State command of the Nigeria Police Force has denied reports that its operatives killed a suspected armed robber, Philip Kpentuman, who died while in custody.

In a statement issued on Friday in Makurdi, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, said the Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi, had ordered an autopsy to establish the actual cause of death.

According to the statement, Kpentuman was arrested on September 20 by operatives of Operation Zenda, who also searched his residence.

He was said to have later led the police to a hideout at Tse-Tamen settlement, Ugondu, Makurdi, where a locally made pistol and five cartridges hidden in a nylon bag were recovered.

Edet explained that after the recovery, the suspect requested to ease himself but instead attempted to escape.

“He was rearrested with the help of youths in the community, who almost lynched him because of his criminal record, before the Police rescued him,” she said.

Shortly after being rescued, Kpentuman reportedly complained of severe body pains and was rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

Edet stressed that the Command strongly refuted claims of extra-judicial killing, maintaining that police actions were aimed at saving lives.

She added that the State Criminal Investigation Department had commenced further investigations, with findings to be communicated in due course.