The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network has submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police, seeking redress for five individuals who were allegedly subjected to torture and shot in the legs by police officers in Enugu State.
The petition, signed by CRRAN President, Olu Omotayo, Esq., and dated September 16, requested the IG to take immediate action to address the situation.
The five individuals, who are members of the Neighbourhood Watch in Akpawfu community, Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu State, are – Sunday Nwobodo (also known as Divine Spoon), Onyeka Nnaji, Nnamdi Gabriel, Nweze Igweshi and Nwabunkeonye Nnamani.
The petition demanded the IG to also ensure their immediate release or arraignment in a court of law, should they be suspected of committing an offence.
It also demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged torture and shooting of the individuals.
The petition partly read: “The family members of the above-named detainees informed us that they were randomly arrested between August 3, 2024, and August, 12, 2024, from the community.
“We were further informed that one Mr. Nnaji was reported to have been killed some time in July 2024, by unknown persons in the community. The community thereafter arrested one Mr. Ogodo and two others who they suspected had a land dispute with the deceased and handed them over to the police in the area, but the police later released the suspects and invited some members of the community’s Neighbourhood Watch to report to the Octopus Base.
“The aforementioned Neighbourhood Watch members reported to the Police and they have since been in detention.
“We were further informed that the police have refused access to the detainees by their families and lawyers. They further stated that when some members of the community were allowed to see the detainees two weeks ago, they were all limping as they had been tortured and shot on their legs by the police while in detention.”
The group claimed it made efforts to see the detainees and know their wellbeing but a member of its office, Desmond Kakaan, was refused access to them when he visited the Octopus Police Base, Enugu, on Friday.
It said it was “unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional and a grave rights violation” for the police to incapacitate detainees in their custody by shooting them on their legs to make them confess to a crime.
“No matter the gravity of the offence they committed, the proper thing for the police to do is to charge the detainees before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“We condemn in an unequivocal term this act of torture in custody and we demand that the officers involved be made to face the full wrath of the law as penalised under Section 8, Anti-Torture Act 2017 which provides punishment of 25 years imprisonment for a person who commits torture.
“Section 6, of the Anti Torture Act 2017” provides that a person arrested, detained or under custodial investigation has the right to demand a physical and psychological Examination by an independent and competent doctor of his choice after interrogation. Pursuant to this section, we hereby, on behalf of the detainees, demand that they be allowed access to a competent doctor of their choice to examine them in respect of the alleged severe torture of shooting them on their legs during investigation in police custody.”
The petition highlights concerns regarding police brutality and the need for accountability and justice.
