The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has said it will probe the tragic and controversial death of Kelechi, a 39-year-old Nigerian man from Awka North, Anambra State, who reportedly died after a violent encounter with Swiss police in Lausanne, Switzerland.
A viral video circulating on X (Twitter) shows the moment Kelechi was pinned to the ground by a Swiss police officer, crying out in pain and shouting, “You’re hurting me.”
The video has sparked outrage among Nigerians on social media.
An X user, @ChuksEricE, who shared the footage, alleged that Kelechi died after the incident.
Another user, Somto Okonkwo, described Kelechi as a “hardworking Igbo man” and claimed he was “crying out for help while the officer pressed down on his neck.”
He added that the deceased left behind three young children in Nigeria.
Kelechi reportedly collapsed and died at the police station less than an hour after being taken into custody.
Swiss authorities, in a statement reported by AFP, claimed the incident occurred during a routine police check related to suspected drug activity.
According to them, Kelechi fled the scene but was later apprehended.
They further stated that he became unwell during questioning and died despite emergency resuscitation efforts.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in the Vaud region of Switzerland has since launched a criminal investigation into the incident.
An autopsy and other forensic examinations are currently underway, with crime scene investigators and medical experts involved in the probe.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, described the incident as very sad and unfortunate.
“This is not something we are going to condone. Irrespective of whatever the person may have done, he should have been given fair treatment,” he said.
“If we are able to gather all the necessary information surrounding his death, we will issue an official statement. Also, if the family can reach out to us or send a formal petition, we will be in a better position to know what happened.”
The commission assured the public that it is actively working to get to the bottom of the matter.
