Angry residents storm police station, burn it down after suspect’s controversial death in cell

Angry residents of Malambisia village, Butula Sub-County Bulwani camp after a 20 year-old man who had been arrested on Saturday morning for allegedly defiling a minor died in police custody in controversial circumstances.

Police claim that the suspect committed suicide, a claim that has been dismissed by the deceased’s family and local residents who allege foul play.

Trouble started after police declined to allow the suspect’s sister, Justine Wafula to see him only for the family to be informed of his death later.

“Police officers told us that they were waiting for authorisation from their boss to allow us to see him. We came to discover that he was dead,” said Ms Wafula.

Chaos break out

As news of the controversial death spread, angry residents milled around Bulwani Administration police camp where the suspect who was arrested on Saturday afternoon had been held.

The tension quickly degenerated into chaos as police attempted to move the body to the mortuary with locals blocking police vehicles and demanding for answers, prompting the officers to call for back-up from neighboring police stations.

Police shot in the air and lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the crowd before transporting the body to the mortuary with residents turning their wrath on the police camp and setting several buildings on fire.

The mob then proceeded to the homestead of the local who reported that his daughter was defiled to the police and torched five houses.