Police Badge
Juliana Francis
Members of the Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOSCO) have decided to fight for the rights of an Alumaco Technician called Mr. Joshua.
EDOSCO said that on the 27th of December 2022 at about 3:PM, Joshua, an Alumaco technician called on the phone, crying and reporting criminality by some men of the Nigeria Police Force against him. He said that he needed urgent intervention if possible.
The incident was said to have happened in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
It was gathered that Joshua with two of his apprentices was in his Lexus 350 SUV vehicle, carrying long-span glasses on top of the roof, moving from the purchased point at New Benin Market to the installation site through 2nd East Circular Road.
At Uwa Junction on the same road, a driver in a Mercedes Formatic C Class sped passed them without caution and was ahead of them.
EDOSCO said: “They noticed the driver that just sped past them, screeched to a halt and made a sudden sharp U-turn facing their vehicle, not knowing the sudden cause of that driver’s intention, Joshua quickly pulled aside to avoid the possible head-on clash. But in an instant, they noticed some officers of the Nigeria Police Force in their full uniform chasing the fleeing vehicle on foot, so they waited for the drama to pass, so they could continue their trip
“But to their amazement, the officers who had initially run past their vehicle, rushed back, blaming him for allowing the fleeing car to go through without blocking it. Joshua demanded to know how it was his business and responsibility to be blocking the fleeing vehicle for the police. His response earned him a first slap from the already angry officers, who afterward pounced on him in their number.
“After molesting him, they demanded to see his vehicle particulars and driver’s license, which he obediently provided. The head of the team took the papers, and studied them as if he was seeking an answer to pass the incoming jamb examinations, when he couldn’t find fault with the documents, they turned their attention to the tinted glass permit where the photo on it wasn’t clear enough and insisted Joshua must be taken to their station for a thorough investigation.”
At the station, Joshua was allegedly attacked with slaps, and punches, and called several names, which the activists felt dehumanised and demoralised him.
Thereafter, the Police requested him to cough up a million naira or he would be charged to court, and from there to prison, where they threatened he would remain for a very long time.
According to EDOSCO, the table of negotiation was thereafter established.
EDOSCO said: “Mr. Joshua started with N50,000 until both parties arrived at N100,000. Mr. Joshua didn’t have much cash with him at that moment, the officers invited a POS operator to complete the transaction which of course went through, and N2000 as service charges were included. The officers thereafter photographed all the provided SUV documents, returned hard copies to him and released him. Mr. Joshua felt robbed and betrayed, so sought the intervention of EDOCSO.”
Members of EDOCSO after hearing about the incident moved into action and went to the police divisional headquarters. The group met with the Divisional Station Officer (SO) who informed them that the police team was alleged, to be a special patrol team and had gone out a few minutes ago for their normal patrol.
After narrating the incident to the SO, he promised to get to the root of the incident.
One of the members of the EDOSCO group said: “As soon as I landed in my house to rest, I received two quick intermediate calls from a man who introduced himself as a senior police officer and his purpose of the call was to seek peace and soft landing for the officers who had pleaded guilty and were ready to make restitution immediately. My response was, it is evil for a struggling man to go ahead to oppress his fellow man who is struggling to survive. I told him also to wait for the SO to get back to us first as promised. On 28th December 2022, the SO put a call across requesting our presence. At that moment, I was in the company of leftists Charles Ojo, Kennedy Omoruyi and Austin Enabulele and our interim TEC chairman. We moved into the station in the company of Mr. Joshua and his two apprentices. The SO apologized on behalf of his junior officers and instantly provided the complete cash of N1200,000 to me in the presence of Mr. Joshua and other comrades seated. I took my time to count it to confirm if it was complete. The was handed to Mr. Joshua instantly. We thanked the SO for being able to soothe frayed nerves and we went outside the gate. Outside the gate, we had a little awareness standing class. This is just one of the reported happenings around the state and country amongst the very many extortionist activities by officers of our Nigeria police force.”
