The PSNI is to meet with the family of a Nigerian care worker who died while running away from a group of youths who they say had previously attacked her and her home in Newry.
Anu Okasanya, 46, died last Wednesday after she had fled to a neighbour’s house while confronting a group of youths who were reported to have been beating up another person. She suffered an asthma attack and was later taken to hospital where she died.
Ms Okusanya’s 25-year-old son had been due to move to Newry next week to join his mother, who had worked in a care home in the area for the last 15 months.
The PSNI has now said its officers hope to meet with Ms Okusanya’s family to discuss their concerns.
“The Police Service of Northern Ireland would like to meet with Ms Okusanya’s family before making any further comment,” a statement to the Irish News said.
”Police have spoken, by telephone, with a family member, a meeting has been suggested and will take place at an agreeable and appropriate time.
“It is important that we take care to establish the full facts and engage with Ms Okusanya’s family in a way that is sensitive to their grief and to the circumstances.”
Anu’s brother Gbenga said his nephew is “completely distraught” over his mother’s death.
“Missing one of us has been very tough to take, but more importantly her only child is extremely distraught,” he said.
“They were extremely close. He’s based in Nigeria but he was supposed to arrive here next week, that was already planned and arranged and everything,
“She was just waiting to welcome him and to start their lives together again. It was supposed to be a grand reunion, but now all he is going to see is his mother being buried.”
