Owerri — Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medalist Mobi Oparaku yesterday escaped death following a brutal beating from armed policemen in Owerri.

The ugly incident took place at Rotibi/Oguamanam junction in the heart of the city when some armed police men suspected to be patrolling the city descended on him and gave him a beating of his life.

The incident attracted the attention of many passers-by who wanted to know the cause of the trouble as the armed policemen continued to rain heavy blows on the ex-international until people came to his rescue.

Narrating his experience to newsmen in Owerri yesterday, Oparaku said that he alighted from a Keke Napep and was on his way to his house when the armed policemen wanted to know from him which among the roads was one way which he answered to them and continued.

To his greatest surprise, he said immediately after he answered their question and moved on, they pounced on him and started beating him.

The victim, during the briefing showed to newsmen sustained injuries and the shirt that was torn apart during the beating.

Meanwhile police Public Relation Officer PPRO Mr. Vitalis Onugu when contacted confirmed the report and directed the footballer Opraraku to report to his office for settlement.