26th May, 2011
A police inspector with the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Lagos, Emma Akpabonam, who claimed that he was brutalised in the course of investigating a case referred to him, has called on the Commissioner of Police in charge of SARS to bring the person behind his ordeal to justice.
In a letter addressed to the commissioner, Inspector Akpabonam who is currently receiving treatment at the police medical centre for head fracture and damaged eardrums alleged that he was seriously brutalised and detained by ACP Kokumu while carrying out his lawful duty.
According to Inspector Akpabonam, on 9 May, 2011 he had gone to Orile – Agege to arrest some suspects in relation to a petition which was referred to him.
On returning from the assignment with two suspects, he took their statement and was about to hand over the matter to his team leader ASP Ibrahim Yusuf when he was allegedly accosted by ACP Kokumu.
Inspector Akpobonam further claimed that before he knew what was happening, he was thoroughly beaten and thrown into a cell where dangerous criminals are kept.
He added that he spent four harrowing nights there before he was released.
Inspector Akpabonam says he still does not know what he did wrong to warrant such brutality and want the commissioner to look into the matter.
—Henry Ojelu