THE Immigration Department has confirmed that a Nigerian doctorate student died in its custody after he was detained in a raid last week.

Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud in a statement said Limkokwing University student, Thomas Orhions Ewansiha, 34, was arrested on July 4 at 10.45pm in Desa Aman Puri, Kuala Lumpur.

“The deceased fled but the enforcement team managed to apprehend him. 

“He then presented his passport, and checks showed he had a valid student pass,” Khairul Dzaimee said in a statement today.

“However, the manner he acted in fleeing the raid had raised doubts about the authenticity of his student pass,” he added.

Thomas was suspected of possessing illegal or forged documents, including entry permits and he was arrested under Section 51(5)(b) of the Immigration Act.

Khairul Dzaimee said the raid was carried out after public complaints since March and April of an influx of Africans in the area.

“We received complaints since March, and it involves suspicions that they have no valid passes as well as their presence affected the locals.

“It is alleged that they were distributing drugs, offering prostitutes and being drunk in an open space.”

“Many locals were feeling insecure and, therefore, reports were lodged,” he added.

Khairul Dzaimee said 20 foreigners were detained in the July 4 raid, including Thomas.

“All of them were brought to the Kuala Lumpur Immigration office before being sent to the Bukit Jalil Immigration depot on July 5 around noon.

“They were treated humanely and according to our standard operating procedures for detainees. 

“Thomas was also given medical treatment for old wounds and he had informed enforcement officers that he did not suffer from any illness,” he said.

Khairul Dzaimee said Thomas had a medical emergency on July 9.. 

“On midnight of July 9, the officer in charge was informed by one of the detainees that Thomas suddenly had a seizure while sleeping.”

“A special unit that was on duty gave immediate assistance and treated Thomas. At the same time, the unit contacted Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) for aid,” Khairul Dzaimee said.

He said a medical officer from HUKM examined Thomas, and he was later pronounced dead.

“Immigration is still waiting for the full medical report and the full autopsy report to identify the cause of death,” he said.

A news portal today reported that group of Nigerians held a small but heated protest outside their country’s high commission at Jalan Ampang yesterday evening.

The protest was reportedly triggered by the death of a fellow Nigerian while in Immigration custody.

No one was arrested after the protest. – July 12, 2019.