An autopsy has revealed that Nigerian Air Force cadet officer, Emmanuel Chidiebere Onyeomereneche, was murdered, contrary to earlier claims that he drowned in a swimming pool.
The late Chidiebere, who was a Tarmac Four cadet officer, died under mysterious circumstances at Hotel Royal Damgrete in Umuahia, Abia State, on April 9, 2024.
Initial reports suggested that Chidiebere drowned in the hotel’s pool, but the recent autopsy has confirmed that he died due to severe injuries, including a skull fracture, likely caused by blunt force trauma.
The autopsy, conducted on June 29, 2024, showed that Chidiebere’s death was due to intracranial haematoma (bleeding in the brain) and a skull fracture.
The injuries were located in the occipital and right parietal regions of his skull, suggesting a violent blow to the head.
The report, released on August 18, 2024, was signed by a team of medical experts, including Prof. M.A. Nnoli, Associate Prof. Jegede O.O., Dr. Chukwuegbo C.C., and Dr. Ogbata S.E.
Their findings confirmed that Chidiebere had suffered blunt force trauma to the back of his head, which led to the fatal brain injury.
The official autopsy report read: “We certify the cause of death in our opinion to be: 1a. Intracranial Haematoma; 1b. Skeletal Injury (Skull Fracture – Occipital & Right Parietal Region) and 1c. Soft Tissue Injury (Blunt Head Trauma – Occipital Region).”
The medical specialists explained that the blunt injury caused damage to critical structures at the back of the neck, which are responsible for controlling the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
This damage likely led to the cadet officer’s sudden death, according to the autopsy findings.
Following the release of the autopsy report, the father of the deceased, Mr. Ephraim Onyeomereneche, expressed his belief that his son had been murdered.
Speaking with journalists after receiving the autopsy results, Mr. Onyeomereneche dismissed earlier reports that Chidiebere had drowned.
“My son was murdered. There was no drowning. The autopsy shows that his death was caused by severe head injuries,” he said during a media chat.
He also suggested that one of Chidiebere’s colleagues might have been involved in his death, though no direct evidence has yet been presented to support this claim.
Onyeomereneche has called for further investigation into his son’s death, stating that the truth must come out and that those responsible for the crime should be brought to justice.
The grieving father said, “I won’t rest until the real cause of my son’s death is revealed. I believe it wasn’t an accident. Someone killed him.”
He added that his family has been left devastated by the loss of their son, who had a promising future in the Nigerian Air Force.
Although Onyeomereneche initially speculated that his son might have been poisoned, the autopsy report categorically ruled out poisoning as the cause of death.
The medical experts who conducted the autopsy confirmed that there was no trace of poison in Chidiebere’s system.
Instead, they concluded that the cadet officer’s death was due to the traumatic injuries he sustained to his skull and neck.
This conclusion, based on forensic evidence, has shifted the focus of the investigation toward uncovering the individuals responsible for the brutal attack on Chidiebere.
Investigators now believe that Chidiebere may have been attacked and killed before his body was dumped into the swimming pool.
The discovery of the severe head injuries and the absence of water in his lungs during the
Emmanuel Chidiebere was a bright and dedicated young officer, committed to serving his country in the Nigerian Air Force.
Friends and colleagues described him as disciplined, hardworking, and full of potential.
One colleague, who requested anonymity, said, “Chidiebere was an outstanding cadet. He always put in his best and had great respect for everyone.”
As the case gains more attention, there have been calls for a thorough investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“My son did not die by accident. He was murdered, and we need justice,” Onyeomereneche said, his voice filled with grief.
