11th May, 2012
A businesswoman, Mrs. Oluwakemi Anifowoshe, 62, has cried out to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar to save her from being killed by a man claiming to be the son of a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police.
The businesswoman who resides at 6/8 Amikanle Estate, Alagbado, Lagos, said her life is in danger and prompt intervention of the IGP is needed to save her.
She narrated how she was arrested and detained by policemen attached to the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja along with her husband, son and seven others over allegations of harbouring terrorists and being a gun runner.
She also disclosed how she narrowly escaped death on Tuesday when 18 gunmen trailed her and shot sporadically at her Toyota Landcruiser.
Narrating her ordeal to P.M.NEWS, she said: “It was like a scene in a crime movie. I did not know that I was being trailed. Suddenly, some men carrying guns and riding on commercial motorcycles appeared and shot at my Toyota Landcruiser. The bullet missed me and I quickly drove to the nearest police station at Meiran. The car is there now with the shattered windscreen.”
Narrating the genesis of the crisis, Anifowoshe said: ”On 28 April, 2012, I was at home when some armed policemen in four vehicles and led by Supol Taofeek Olokode from the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja came to my house and accused me of training Boko Haram members. They also accused me of gun running. I was suprised at these allegations and I told them that it was not true.
“They did not listen to me. Instead, they arrested me, my son, Ganiyu Ibrahim, 26; Ganiyu Bello, 62; Chief Ali Balogun, Baale Amikanle, 70; Oluwole Kuseyi, 42; Ajani Babatunde, 40 and others. We were all detained at SARS office, Ikeja from Saturday, 28 April till 6 May.
“After our release, we were re-arrested by policemen attached to the IGP monotoring team and detained. We were released the following Sunday.
“Again, On 29 April, policemen from Alagbado Division, led by Inspector Abigael Ogunleye and Sergeant Taiwo Adebayo, arrested my husband, Mr. Bashiru Oladeji and Segun Oke, 36, on the allegation that they invaded the residence of a man claiming to be the son of a retired DIG at 2, Fehintola Avenue, Oke-Abiye, Alagbado, Lagos in an attempt to kill him.
“These policemen demanded N200,000 from me and when I could not provide it, my husband was charged to court and remanded in Kirikiri prison.
“The truth of the matter is that the man in question came to me to be appointed land agent of Abegunrin Family but I refused because I am the accredited land agent with the power of attorney for the family.
“The next thing he did was to write a petition against me, accusing me of harbouring terrorists and possessing guns. I am appealing to the Inspector General of Police to save me from these people,” she said.
Sources at the Lagos SARS confirmed that investigation was ongoing in the matter.
—Oluwole Adeboye