Crime
I paid N1,000 ‘gate fee’ always to visit my late brother in SARs cell — Petitioner
A petitioner, Francis Awulu, told the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)’s Independent panel, that he was asked to pay N1,000 as ‘gate fee’ every time he visited his late brother in the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) cell.
The panel is investigating alleged human rights violations by the disbanded SARS and other units of the police force.
Testifying on a petition by his family, Awulu alleged that his brother, Emmanuel, was killed in spite of the fact that the police collected N60, 000 from him.
The petition was filed against Insp. Cletus Atuma, other officers of SARS, FCT commissioner of police and Inspector-General of Police.
He told the panel that Atuma and other SARS officers beat his brother beyond recognition and killed him at the SARS headquarters.
Led by his counsel, Uche Uwazuruonye, Awulu said the deceased, a poultry farmer, was arrested on Aug. 20, 2019 by Atuma at about 2 a.m. in Gwagwalada, FCT.
“Immediately my brother was taken into custody, he was denied access to his family and until he died.
“For every visit we were asked to pay N1,000 as gate fee to get to where my brother was detained unlawfully which did not yield any result.
“On one of my visits, one Insp. Wisdom advised me to pay N4 million to make sure that I get a listening ear from the SARs ogas.
“I told him I could not afford such an amount. He collected the N8,000 I had on me. After the payment, Atuma informed me that my brother was a cultist.
“After much negotiation, Aruma demanded for money and I gave him N60,000 for the release of my brother. On Aug. 26, 2019 we were told that Emmanuel had died,” he said.
Awulu, pleaded with the panel to order for compensation from the police for being responsible for his younger brother’s death adding, he was the breadwinner of the family, he had six dependents.
“We also pray the panel to ensure that the perpetrators of this inhumane act are punished,” he said.
The Chairman of panel, rtd justice Suleiman Galadima, adjourned hearing until April 16 for cross-examination.
The 32-year-old Nigerian male, named Aina Ibrahim Seun, wanted for the offence of indecent practices between males, contrary to sections 214(3) and 217 Of the Criminal Code Act.
Aina who lived at 15, Morofunola Street, Agege, Otubo Bus Stop, Lagos State, was declared wanted for engaging in bisexual activities with his accomplice, Efe Okoro, a 30-year-old from Isolo Quarters, Lagos State.
This followed an investigation after Efe Okoro was caught at a Homosexual (gay) Wedding in Delta State and it has been confirmed that the police has found evidence that he has been involved in gay activities which is a Known crime in Nigeria.
The incident was reported to the Nigeria Police Divisional Headquarters in the community. Upon interrogation, Efe, who is Aina’s gay partner, confessed to the act after the police found him with sex photos of himself and Aina Ibrahim Seun in September 2023. Aina, who is currently at large, has been declared wanted by the Nigeria Police.
The Nigeria Police, therefore, urges the community youths and anyone who knows the whereabouts of Aina Ibrahim Seun to report to the nearest Police Station for arrest and prosecution.
Recall that gay activities in Nigeria are highly prohibited and attract penalties, including not less than 14 years jail term.
By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
Kaduna state Police Command, has confirmed the abduction of two Kaduna based Journalists, Alhaji AbdulGafar Alabelewe and Abdulraheem Aodu of The Nations and Blue print newspapers respectively.
The bandits in their large numbers, late Saturday night, stormed Danhonu community in the Millennium City of Chikun local government area of Kaduna State and abducted the journalists alongside their wives and children.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) Kaduna State Command ASP Mansur Hassan said that his men are still in the bush, adding that all efforts are in place to rescue the victims unhurt.
Alhaji Alabelewe is the current chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council.
A family member of one of the victims, Taofeeq Olayemi, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits stormed the community at about 10:30pm on Saturday night and started shooting sporadically before carrying out kidnap.
He said they kidnapped Alhaji Alabelewe, his wife and two of his children, while Alhaji Aodu and his wife were kidnapped, leaving behind their sick daughter.
“Initially, they picked Alhaji Abdulgafar, his wife and three of his children and a girl staying with them before asking the girl to return back with one of the children, leaving with Abdulgafar, his wife and two children.
“They shattered their doors, windows and removed their burglary after scaling the fence,” he narrated.
Olayemi, who is a family member of Mr Aodu and lives close to the victims’ houses, further said: “they came around 10:30pm on Saturday night and started shooting sporadically. They first forced Aodu’s door open and picked him and his wife and left their sick daughter behind.
“Then, they entered Abdulgafar’s house through the fence and jumped into his house. They went straight into his bedroom and picked him, his wife and two of their kids and left immediately, after which the vigilantes arrived and started shooting into the air.”
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