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Tag: Policeman

  • Policeman killed as JTF rescues INEC worker, eight others in Akwa Ibom

    A police sergeant has been confirmed killed in Akwa Ibom State in an operation to rid Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas of militants.

    Hoodlums in both local government areas had allegedly been causing deaths and destruction of property estimated at millions of naira in the last one year.

    Police Commissioner Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, who spoke on the killing at the weekend, said: “We lost one sergeant in the operation and recovered some rifles, including police and military uniforms, charms and other materials.”

    He said the police action followed the alleged refusal of the hoodlums to heed the offer of amnesty extended to them by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

    Ogunjemilusi said the police rescued Otobong Sylvester Ukpong, a worker at the Ukanafun area office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as eight others, including seven women.

    The abductors reportedly got the victims at Ikot Inyang Abia community in Ukanafun.

    Ukpong was said to have been abducted on June 5, blindfolded and taken by two gunmen on motorcycles into a bush in Ikot Akpan Ayara in Ukanafun Local Government Area.

    It was learnt that the kidnap victims were fed with garri and soup, beans and rice.

    Ukpong said: “There is no farming activity around the bush we were kept. The abductors erected a canopy in the bush and always cooked the meal there and served us. Throughout my stay for about two months, I was not allowed to talk to anyone. That is why I find it difficult to talk because my throat is not clear.

    “They (abductors) only removed the veils from our eyes in the night when we could not understand the geography of the area. I have not taken my bath, shaved or trimmed my hair since I was taken. This is the only cloth that I put on since I was captured.

    “Each time the kidnappers left for operation, they ensured that two heavily armed men were left to guard the den. But on August 18, when the Joint Task Force (JTF) stormed the place, the one who guarded the camp got the signal and went to see what was coming.

    “Before he could compose himself, the soldier had fired first and the militants went flat on the ground. He used his charms and amulets and disappeared before the JTF came to rescue us.”

    The Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government Area, Mr. Nnamso Idiong and his Etim Ekpo counterpart, Mr. Udeme Eduo, who identified the freed captives, hailed the JTF operatives for restoring peace to the troubled areas.

    Idiong said the seven rescued women were abducted from his village, Ikot Inyang Abia, by the gang leader identified simply by his operational name, ‘Englishman’.

    He said: “The wife of ‘Englishman’ was arrested by the police because of the activities of her elusive husband. But ‘Englishman’ called me on phone and accused me of ordering the police to arrest his wife, who is still being detained at the police headquarters.

    “Following the arrest of his wife, which I knew nothing about, ‘Englishman’ said he was going to kidnap 25 women from my community and would only free them when his wife has been released by the police.

    “To make good his threat, he came into the village and captured these seven women and told me this set of women was the first instalment.”

    The council chairman regretted that his efforts to broker peace with the leaders of the hoodlums, in line with the state government’s plans, had been unsuccessful.

    Idiong said: “Even one of them called me that they would be ready for the peace meeting but when we were all ready for them, they refused to turn up.”

  • 12 killed as gunmen rob banks in Edo

    Twelve persons including a policeman have been killed by armed robbers who attacked a police station and invaded two banks in Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo local government area.

    Two persons who were detained at the police station in Akoko-Edo for minor offences were also killed by the robbers.

    Witnesses said the robbers first attacked the police station which is about 1.2 kilometre from the banks to demobilise the the policemen on duty.

    The robbers were said to have burnt the official vehicle of the newly posted Area Commander and killed a policeman in the process.

    Three other persons near the police station were reportedly hit by stray bullets.

    Four persons were killed within the premises of the two banks as witnesses claimed the robbers could not get access to the vault of the banks.

    A youth who gave Ofei Obende said policemen posted to the bank tried to resist the robbers but were overpowered by their heavy firepower.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct Islamic preacher, two others in Kaduna

    Secretary to the paramount ruler of the community, Otaru of Igarra, Elder Folorunsho Dania confirmed the incident saying, “This is a serious case, armed robbers have besieged Igarra. So many lives killed, ten dead persons have been counted.

    “The police station was set ablaze, the Area Commander’s new car set ablaze because we have an area commander now. Close to the police station, three people were killed and in the banks too; Keystone and Unity Banks many persons were killed and the banks raided.

    “It is a calamity. In all, ten lives have gone. They could not access the strong room of the banks. The people that were killed in bank were outside the bank premises. Four persons killed within the bank premises, a policeman killed in the police station then a stone throw from the police station, three persons were killed. I am right at the police station.“

  • Policeman, nine others paraded for Plateau killings

    A police sergeant with the Counter Terrorist Unit in Maiduguri, Borno State, was arrested in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, for allegedly selling ammunition to cattle rustlers and other criminals.

    Sgt. Zakariah John was caught selling a round of 7.62MM Special Ammunition to a suspected rustler.

    Most of the attacks and killings in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu and Bassa councils have been linked to proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

    Media Officer of Operation Safe Haven Maj. Adam Umar, who paraded the suspects yesterday, said: “We have in our custody a serving police sergeant – Sgt. Zakariah John – and a suspected rustler – Sani Muhammed – both of whom are suspected to be gun runners.

    “We also have in our custody Patrick Choji and Yakubu Davou who were arrested for illegal possession of firearms. We have 10 suspects in all but with various offenses, ranging from rustling, robbery, impersonation and gun running.

    “They were arrested from various spots, some from Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Nasarawa State.

    “Victor Davou and Joshua Dagwom are suspected to be part of those who rustled cows in Fan district of Barkin Ladi before the attacks last month, though we are still investigating to ascertain their level of involvement.”

    Narrating how the suspects were arrested, Umar said: “As we intensified our investigations following the June 23 incident, we arrested one of the rustlers and he confessed that a policeman supplies him ammunition. So he was told to ask for another supply.

    “We took the suspect to the meeting point, laid an ambush, and the supplier appeared – he supplied 180 rounds of 7.62MM special. Each round of ammunition was sold for N450. It used to be N400 but according to the supplier, scarcity of the product forced him to increase the price.

    “That was how the suspect was arrested and upon interrogation, we discovered he is a police sergeant serving with the Counter Terrorist Unit in Maiduguri.

    “This discovery will help in reducing the proliferation of arms in these troubled areas.”

  • EKITI 2018: Fayose tear-gassed, says I was slapped by policeman

    An attempt by Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose to hold a rally against police advice sparked heavy shooting in Fajuyi area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
    It was learnt that Fayose was teargassed by riot policemen as he was attending to complaints from People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members that they had been denied access to the Fajuyi Pavilion, venue of the proposed rally.
    An eyewitness revealed that one of the canisters fired from outside the Government House landed very close to Fayose. The governor inhaled the teargas and collapsed.
    The source said Fayose was revived by his security aides and party members and was taken to the Government House Clinic.
    The governor later emerged from the clinic with neck brace to address the crowd that gathered at the Government House grounds.
    Fayose alleged that he was slapped and kicked by a police officer.  He also alleged that an instruction has been given to kill him.
    Deputy Governor and the PDP candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, also alleged that he was beaten by policemen during the melee.
    He called on the international community, European Union (EU) to save democracy in Nigeria which he said is under siege.
    Fayose said: “My people, the Lord will fight this battle; the MOPOL of Nigeria Police, IGP and AIG ordered that the governor should be killed.
    “I was slapped by a policeman, I was kicked and I was shot at. Be of great courage, be not dismayed, this battle will be won.
    “This is an army of occupation, this is not the democracy we fought for. My people, don’t be afraid, I pray they will not cause the 1983 problem in Ekiti State.
    “Ekiti is under siege, how can I be governor of Ekiti State and they treated me like this? My people, stand and keep standing. I will go back to the hospital and remain there, I want you to stand by Eleka (Olusola).
    “I plead with the international community, Nigeria is in trouble, please arise and stand for justice. They have arrested so many teachers, okada riders and PDP members.
    “Come and save PDP, we are in majority, we are a party to beat, come and safe us. They said they are under instruction to kill me and PDP candidate.”
    Fayose, later got emotional and wept while being interviewed by journalists.
    He said: “I am in severe pain, I am in severe pain, should anything evil happen to me, the Inspector General of Police should be held responsible.”
    Olusola said: “They shot sporadically to the air and one of them beat me. I told him that I am the deputy governor, he said deputy governor my foot.
    “We have not moved out to the streets at all, we were walking to our campaign office. The COMPOL (Commissioner of Police) MOPOL (Mobile Police), said to my hearing that it was an instruction from the Presidency.
    “They manhandled my governor and slapped him with the butt of the gun in the back. It was an attempt to assassinate the governor but they will never succeed.
    “Who then is safe in Nigeria? We should tell Buhari that enough is enough; the Presidency should be warned that enough is enough.
    “God is with us, the army that is with us is greater than the army that is with them. God is with us.”
    Ekiti PDP Chairman, Chief Gboyega Oguntuase, accused the Inspector General of having plan to rig the election for the APC.
    Oguntuase said: “When the IGP was CP in Kano State, democracy was bastardized, votes in Kano were rigged.
    “This election shall hold and won by people who are behind PDP. Presently, the police are laying siege to the Government House.”
    Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, said PDP members still have the right to hold rallies because the time frame allowed by the Electoral Law had not lapsed.
    She said: “They must be told that enough is enough; our people have been arrested, they are being picked up. If you are popular, you don’t need to be doing all these.
    “We will go to the poll on Saturday and elect a member of the PDP as the next governor.”
    Men of the Nigerian Army and the Police have taken over the Fajuyi Pavilion, which serves as Olusola’s campaign office and sealed off the arena that was scheduled to hold the rally.
    They packed their vehicles inside the arena and kept guard over the facility. An Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was stationed there.
    The security forces who stopped journalists from taking pictures of the place said they were under instruction not to allow any rally because of the tense situation in the state.
    PDP members who arrived the place in their white apparel as instructed by the governor met the stern-looking security men who asked them to go back.
    The Government House gate was sealed off while the Secretariat Road was blocked.
    The policemen fired several canisters of teargas to disperse the PDP members who had arrived Ado-Ekiti from all parts of the state.
    The party faithful ran helter-skelter as teargas fumes billowed into the sky. The frightened party men and women dispersed in different directions.
    While some of them ran inside the High Court complex, others headed for the old Governor’s Office area and entered the Government House from the rear.
    A close aide to Fayose called Abiola was arrested at Fajuyi area and he is now being detained at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Section at the police headquarters in Ado Ekiti.
    Reporters sighted Abiola as he was being dragged by the police to the CID section.

  • Policeman who shot Bamidele dismissed

    The Police have dismissed the trigger-happy mobile policeman who shot former House of Representatives member Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele and five other party faithful last Friday.

    The culprit opened fire at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat during the welcome rally held for the governorship flag bearer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Bamidele and five other injured party members were hospitalised. But, the former federal lawmaker has been relocated to Lagos for post-surgery treatment.

    The officer was battered by angry party members who smashed his head, inflicted injuries on him and dispossessed him of his service rifle.

    Ekiti State Commissioner of Police Mr. Bello Ahmed, disclosed that the mobile policeman has been dismissed from service to pave the way for his trial in court as soon as he is discharged from the hospital.

    The police boss who spoke on a live programme on Channels Television said that the politician who brought the policeman to Ekiti State from his Lagos base has been detained and he is being grilled by interrogators.

    Ahmed said the politician will also be arraigned in court as soon as the Police conclude their investigation into the shooting incident.

    He said: “The policeman involved is dismissed already and even though he’s nursing some injury.

    “At the appropriate time, he will face the law of course. Nigerians will be briefed on the outcome of our actions.”

    Ahmed also spoke on the readiness of the command to regulate the activities of political parties to prevent violence and other acts that could lead to breakdown of law and order.

    Part of the measures, according to him, was the deployment of armed policemen from neighbouring states which he said would be a continuous exercise as election approaches.

    He added: “We have robust arrangement to regulate and observe these political activities as they unfold in Ekiti State, in fact in the entire state.

    “We just got a robust deployment of mobile policemen and that will be increased as the campaigns are progressing.

    “You know what is on the ground will determine what will be done. If the satiation on ground dictates we behave otherwise, we will do provided it is within the confines of the law.

    “This morning (Monday) I’ll be having a meeting with all the political parties’ chairmen. We have programmes for them.

    “We are going to regulate every inch of activity in the state. We will not sit down and tolerate any act of lawlessness, whoever is involved.

    “The police, we are willing, competent to take action against any group or persons, either individual or groups as far this campaign is concerned.”

    Also, political parties have promised to maintain peace before, during and after the July 14 poll.

    They gave the commitment at a meeting held with the Police Commissioner, Bello Ahmed, at the state police headquarters in Ado-Ekiti on Monday.

    Ekiti State APC Chairman Chief Olajide Awe described the meeting as a fruitful deliberation, saying the police boss spoke frankly and expressed his feelings about the comportment of political parties.

    “The police boss spoke frankly and he told us to warn our supporters to respect the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act and this we have to do in the interest of our dear state.

    “We want to rule over living and not dead people, so we need to exercise restraint in the way we conduct ourselves”.

    The PDP Chairman, Chief Gboyega Oguntuase, said what the police boss preached at the meeting was civility and decorum from all political parties, which he assured his party will comply with.

    “As much as we believe in this, he must also not be unaware of something, you can’t rig election and be expecting decorum.

    “What our people will resist is corruption and rigging and once the police and other security agencies are ready to be neutral, then there will be peace”.

    National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP) Chairman Mr. Ifedayo Iyaniwura said parties urged the CP to ensure security at the poll in which 35 parties will participate unlike the 18 that took part in the 2014 poll.

    Speaking at the forum, Ahmed said the command won’t fold its arms and allow people to breach the 1999 constitution and the Electoral Act in the name of election.

    He said the meeting convened for stakeholders to brainstorm on how to ensure peaceful conduct of the coming governorship election and that the riot act has been read to them to serve as a guided principle.

    The Police boss assured that his men will be neutral in the July 14 election and won’t do anything that would make them look as if they were working for a certain political party.

    “What I want from men is professionalism. We are going to be guided by the instrumentality of the law, because this election is going to be a different ball game”.

    On the deployment of more anti-riot policemen to Ekiti since last week, Ahmed said:  “You know what is on the ground will determine what will be done. If the satiation on ground dictates we behave otherwise, we will do provided it is within the confines of the law.

    “We are going to regulate every inch of activity in the state. We will not sit down and tolerate any act of lawlessness, whoever is involved.

    “The police, we are willing, competent to take action against any group or persons, either individual or groups as far this campaign is concerned.”

  • Court remands policeman for impregnating teenager

    An Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin, Edo State, at the weekend remanded a police officer, Michael Eriarebhe, in prison for allegedly impregnating a 16-year-old suspect in police custody.

    Eriarebhe, 33, is facing a one-count charge of having forceful carnal knowledge of a minor before Magistrate I.U Iyioha.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecutor Johnbull Adah told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offence on May 15 last year at Okhoro Police Station, Benin City.

    He added that the suspended accused was a corporal at the police station when the incident occurred and the girl became pregnant.

    The offence is contrary to Section 357 and punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol. II of the defunct Bendel State Laws of 1976, as applicable in Edo State.

    The magistrate adjourned the case till May 11 for hearing.

  • Policeman detained for ‘abducting, raping’ teenager

    The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Imohimi Edgal has ordered the detention of a policeman, Sergeant Henry Ataneh accused of abducting, raping a teenager, Chinelo Obadike last May 8.

    Ataneh’s detention followed a fresh investigation ordered by Edgal after our Correspondent brought the incident to his attention.

    The police boss had directed the Gender Unit of the command to take over the case from the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), invite the parties with a view to establish the veracity of the rape, pregnancy and abduction allegations against the Sergeant.

    However, fresh information obtained yesterday from Crime Victims Foundation (CRIVIFON) indicated that Obadike might have been pregnant before the cop abducted, raped her, since she was delivered of the baby on October 26, last year.

    A Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test, which would state the paternity of the child, it was gathered, was yet to be conducted because a civilian suspected to be responsible for the pregnancy was yet to be arrested.

    Our correspondent had reported some weeks ago that the victim was abducted by Ataneh, who forced her on his motorcycle, took her to a hotel, raped her and finally took her to his house, where she was turned into a maid and a sex slave for about 18 days.

    Obadike fled the home after stealing N10,000 and Ataneh’s mobile phone said to have fallen off his pocket while he was raping her the previous night.

    The case however took a different turn when the policeman, who was then serving at Ojo Division, reported at FSARS that Obadike stole his N1.5million, prompting operatives to track the victim to her hometown in Umuoji in Anambra.

    According to the Founder, CRIVIFON, Mrs. Gloria Egbuji, “it was discovered that though Chinelo was abducted by Sergeant Ataneh Henry and reportedly turned into sex slave, her pregnancy had occurred before the abduction by Henry.

    “This was confirmed by her delivery of a baby last October 26 barely six months after the said abduction. It was then suspected that the beer parlour man, who dated her before Henry abducted her may be the father of the child.

    “However, Edgal has ordered orderly room trial for the policeman on suspected offence of abduction and rape, which is a serious one.  The police boss has directed the provost to try the Sergeant and sentence him accordingly to serve as a deterrent for other policemen, who may want to follow the same path.”

  • Policeman remanded for ‘sexual assault’

    A Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, yesterday remanded a policeman, Sylvester Shamaki, following his arraignment for sexual assault.

    Shamaki, 29, allegedly fingered a 22-year-old woman.

    He was arraigned on one-count charge of sexual assault before Mrs O.J. Oghere.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Modupe Olaluwoye told the court that Shamaki committed the offence at about 6:30pm on March 14, at 9, Adebisi Tolani Street, Medina Estate, Gbagada, Lagos.

    Olaluwoye said the defendant assaulted the complainant (name withheld) by forcing himself on her and penetrating her with his fingers.

    The offence contravened Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Shamaki pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Oghere remanded him in prison and ordered that the case file should be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

    She adjourned till May 26.

  • Mob attacks policeman for ‘shooting’ civilian

    A mob on Sunday afternoon attacked the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of Sagamu Road Police Station, Opawoye Adetunji, a Superintendent (SP), for allegedly shooting a civilian.

    The incident occurred at Alapere in Ketu around 3pm.

    It was gathered that Adetunji attempted to shoot a commercial driver, who violated traffic laws.

    Although the real facts of the case were sketchy as of yesterday, The Nation gathered that the bullets hit a civilian bystander on the head.

    The sight of the injured civilian was said to have angered other road users, who descended on the policeman.

    According to a source, the mob beat the policeman to coma and was about lynching him when policemen from Alapere and Rapid Response Squad (RRS) intervened.

    Both the policeman and his victim were said to have been rushed to an undisclosed hospital.

    Police spokesman Chike Oti said Commissioner Imohimi Edgal directed that a comprehensive query be issued to the cop.

    He said Edgal frowned at the unwarranted use of firearm by the senior police officer, describing it as firearm abuse.

    Oti said: “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Imohimi Edgal, deeply regrets the unwarranted use of firearm by a Superintendent attached to Sagamu Road Police Station as the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), SP Opawoye Adetunji.

    “He has directed that the officer be issued a comprehensive query for shooting a civilian on April 15, for a yet to be determined reason.

    “The officer is currently recuperating in an undisclosed hospital alongside his victim. He has not been able to give his statement because he is still unconscious as a result of the beating he received and injuries sustained when the mob attacked him at the scene of incident.

    “The CP further directs that as soon he regains consciousness, he should be served with the query. The command has never and would never tolerate the use of firearm outside the provisions of Force Order 237.”

  • Teenager: I was abducted, impregnated by policeman

    •Edgal orders investigation

    A 16-year-old girl, Chinelo Obadike, has accused a policeman attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) of abducting, raping and impregnating her.

    Obadike was allegedly abducted last May 8 on her way to her sister’s place in Ojo, a Lagos suburb.

    It was gathered that the policeman, identified as Henry, who was at the time serving at Ojo Division,  saw the girl on the road holding a piece of paper and forcefully took her to a hotel.

    Chinelo said: “I was going to my sister’s place. She sells food at Ojo. That was when Officer Henry saw me and forced me on his motorcycle. He took me to a hotel and raped me at gun point. After that, he took me to his house and told his wife that he has brought a housemaid that would be looking after their children.

    “While I was at their house, he would rape me every night when he came back from work. I was at their house for about 18 days. It was during one of the nights he came to sleep with me that his phone and N10,000 fell from his pocket. I picked them and when they had gone out the next day, I fled to the village.”

    Chinelo was delivered of a baby five months ago.

    Angered by her disappearance, the policeman was said to have gone to FSARS in Ikeja and reported that the girl stole N1.5million belonging to his wife, jewellery and other valuables. It was gathered that a case of robbery was opened against the girl, prompting FSARS operatives to track her to her village in Anambra State.

    It was gathered that Chinelo had sold the policeman’s phone while fleeing, which the police tracked to a man identified as Ekwe, who led detectives to the victim’s sisters in Lagos.

    The founder, Crime Victims Foundation, Mrs. Gloria Egbuji, was notified of the matter by the victim’s family after she was allegedly detained, tortured in FSARS despite being underage and pregnant.

    Mrs. Egbuji, it was learnt, intervened and the parties were invited for a meeting, where operatives of FSARS discovered there was a case of abduction and rape.

    Egbuji confirmed to our correspondent that Miss Obadike was released after she got in touch with the officer in charge of FSARS, Mohammed Sanusi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

    According to the victim’s elder sister, Chukwudumaga Obadike, Chinelo admitted before the police that she stole N10,000 and the officer’s phone when it fell from him while he was raping her.

    She said Henry withdrew the case of N1.5million theft when he realised that the truth had been exposed but denied being responsible for her pregnancy.

    Obadike said: “This thing happened on May 8, last year. I discovered that my sister was missing and we reported her missing at the Ajangbadi Police Station in Ojo.

    “We did not know what happened until July 10 when I was arrested by policemen from Ojo Division, where officer Henry was serving. They said my sister, who I had reported missing, was wanted by the police for N1.5million theft from a policeman.

    “I told them that we were  looking for her and had declared her missing.The policemen went to Ajangbadi Police Station with me to ascertain if truly I reported her missing.They wanted to lock me up but I refused. They later released me by 11pm and the policemen told us to report at the station the next day.

    “When I and another sister of mine called Ada went to Ojo Police Station the next day, the policemen took us to FSARS office at Ikeja. Ada  and I were detained there and were asked to pay N10,000 bail each but we ended up giving them N5,000. They released us and told us to go and look for our missing sister and bring her to FSARS Ikeja.

    “They tracked her to the village and brought her to Lagos. She confessed to us that she did not steal N1.5million from officer Henry’s house that it was a frameup. She was detained in  FSARS cell forone week with the help of officer Henry’s brother, who worked there. The policemen did not give her food. They tortured and forced her to confess to stealing Henry’s N1.5million.”

    The Nation gathered that at the meeting in FSARS, money was demanded from the policeman for the expectant girl’s upkeep and he committed to N50,000.

    But along the line,  Henry, it was gathered denied paying the money and said he could only raise N20,000 because his son was epileptic and had a crisis. The policeman, it was gathered, also denied paying the money for fear that it could be used as evidence against him.

    Our correspondent contacted Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal, who  immediately sent for CSP Sanusi, the officers in charge of Gender and XSquad units, directing a thorough investigation into the case. He also directed that the case file be transferred to the gender unit.

    CSP Sanusi said: “I do not allow underage persons to be detained in FSARS cell under my watch. Maybe they were doing that before I came but since I came here, no underage person has been detained.”

    He directed our correspondent to the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Okhide, who denied allegations of torture, starvation and maltreatment. The IPO said the teenager had marks of burns on her body, which she claimed was inflicted on her by her sister. He also said  allegations of rape were made against the officer but he did not investigate it since it was not within his jurisdiction.