The Nigerian government has announced plans to investigate the death of 39-year-old Michael Kenechukwu Ekemezie, a Nigerian national who died after an alleged violent encounter with police officers in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Ekemezie, a native of Awka North in Anambra State, reportedly died less than an hour after being taken into custody on Sunday night, following what witnesses and social media users described as a brutal arrest during which he could be heard repeatedly crying out, “You’re hurting me.”
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has pledged to pursue a full investigation into the incident. “This is not something we are going to condone. Irrespective of whatever the person may have done, he should have been given fair treatment,” said Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols at NIDCOM.
The incident came to light after a video of the arrest was posted on X (formerly Twitter) by user @ChuksEricE, who alleged that Ekemezie died as a result of the police encounter. Another user, Somto Okonkwo, described him as a “hardworking Igbo man,” stating that Ekemezie was crying out for help as an officer pressed down on his neck. He also revealed that the deceased left behind three young children in Nigeria.
Swiss authorities, in a statement reported by AFP, confirmed that the incident occurred during a routine police check connected to suspected drug activity. They claimed that Ekemezie attempted to flee but was later apprehended. According to the statement, he became unwell during questioning at the police station and died before 10:00 p.m., despite efforts by emergency medical personnel to revive him.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in the Vaud region of Switzerland has since launched a criminal investigation into the matter. Autopsy and forensic examinations are ongoing, with crime scene investigators and medical experts already involved.
NIDCOM has urged the deceased’s family to formally contact the commission, saying that an official statement will be issued once all relevant facts are gathered. “If the family can reach out to us or send a formal petition, we will be in a better position to know what happened,” Balogun stated.
Meanwhile, the commission has assured the Nigerian public that it is in contact with the appropriate Swiss authorities and is closely monitoring the investigation to ensure transparency and accountability.
