An Agropreneur, Dike Ogbunugafor, has cried out for justice over alleged abduction, brutality meted out on him by a naval officer, Victor Fali Amin, for speaking out against traffic obstruction caused by the officer’s parking.
Ogbunugafor, a former banker, said the officer who’s attached to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry, led about eight men including five in camouflage, to his residence on the night of September 23, to abduct and brutalise him because he condemned the way the officer parked his vehicle while relaxing at a bar.
Ogbunugafor said trouble started around 6pm on September 23, while on his way to his fish farm, only to notice a saloon car obstructing the access road leading to the farm.
“I had to manoeuver around it, and parked to look for the owner. I was directed to three guys drinking by a bar whom I approached, greeted and asked to adjust the position of the car.
“The owner said that since I was able to get there, then there was no issue. I explained that I had to manoeuver around the car to do so. He eventually agreed to move it after finishing his drink.
“The bar owner came to me as I headed to my car, and said since I could pass, there was no issue, but I insisted that I shouldn’t have to make this maneuver. I got into my car and left.
“After concluding in the farm, I was driving out in reverse, when I saw the car still there. I picked my phone to record this and report to our Oba.
“By the time they came, I was through, and entered my car to leave.
“Around 8pm in the night, someone knocked on my door. He immediately grabbed me when I opened the door, while others materialised from hiding and descended on me, slapping, punching, kicking, dragging me away, saying I should be bundled into their car.
“There was deliberate effort to be quiet while operating, and my phone was promptly taken. I told myself I must draw attention to this covert assault and abduction.
“I started screaming: “thief!, help!”, while resisting. That’s when I noticed there were about six men on military camouflage with assault rifles, and three others in mufti.
“There was no attempt ab-initio to introduce themselves, or inform me that I am being arrested or invited to accompany them to wherever. Just plain premeditated assault and attempt to abduct.
“The assault worsened, objects were weaponised for hitting and flogging me (now in the presence of my 81-year-old mother who had managed to come out using a walker, following a recent N2.5m knee replacement surgery, and was crying hysterically), and I grabbed a column while still screaming to draw a crowd,” he said.
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Continuing, the agropreneur, said he submitted himself to the operatives and was handcuffed after he drew a crowd to the scene and was eventually taken to the base nearby.
“At the Navy’s Forward Operating Base after ASCON, in Akarakumo, Badagry, I was interrogated severally, asked to produce my phone, threatened that I won’t be released and will be sent to the guard room unless I produced my phone.
“I was severally warned that by morning, they will make my arrest official, I will be sent to HQ in Lagos as a terrorist, with terrorism-related charges.
“On two occasions, members of my community came to the base to try and resolve the matter. Eventually, a high-ranking officer came over, asked me to introduce myself and explain what happened.
When I finished, he asked that I should be released.
“The car owner who was called Victor, mildly argued against this, saying that I had said I will put them on social media.
“However, the ranking officer insisted that I should be released and then told me to go. I did not insult, assault, nor commit any national-security-threatening offence to justify this attack, aside from using my phone to take a video of a car obstructing access to a road.
“I am asking for help to enable me get justice, as my life is in danger following threats by Victor Fali Amin and his gang.
“The Naval authorities should punish these rogue officers who are a disgrace to the Naval Uniform and noble traditions, and hand them over to the police to face criminal charges for my home invasion, illegal and covert premeditated malicious assault, grevious bodily harm inflicted on me, armed and forceful dispossession of property, and resultant worsening of my frail 81-year-old mother’s condition.
“Victor Fali Amin and his eight accomplices should be held squarely responsible, if anything happens to me and my family, especially because of my resolve to get justice,” he said.
Contacted for reaction, the Base Information Officer (BINFO), FOB Badagry, Lieutenant Omotade Falade promised to get back to our Correspondent.
He was reminded hours later but said he was in transit and would revert latest by 8pm.
Contaccted, the Base Information Officer (BINFO), Lieutenant Omotade Falade said the matter was being investigated
He said: “The issue on ground is being investigated and when that is done the outcome would be made public.”