Some lawless operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command and Anti-Kidnapping outpost in the Kado area of Abuja have tortured 22-year-old Jacob Emmanuel, to death in their custody.
It was learnt from top sources in the FCT command that Emmanuel was tortured to death after his detention for eight months without trial and his corpse was dumped into the morgue without information to the family.
It had last Friday, been reported that the life of 22-year-old Emmanuel, a resident of Mpape area in Abuja, was in jeopardy after the Anti-Kidnapping outpost in Kado area arrested him from his house and detained him without trial.
It had been learnt that Emmanuel was arrested in the presence of his mother, a widow, by the Mpape police division before he was transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Kado so that the police could extort money from the family.
Gathered from police sources that some lawless operatives had refused the family access till date to the 22-year-old, even as the Investigating Police Officer, identified as Paul Shafi allegedly demanded for N200,000 before he could release the suspect.
The distressed family members, including the mother who is currently sick and receiving medical treatment, had written several petitions, asking the police to produce their son, Emmanuel or charge him to court if there is any offence, rather than keeping him in detention where his health continued to deteriorate.
In an update to newsmen on Tuesday night, a top police source who begged not to be quoted confirmed Emmanuel’s death.
“It is true. He has died. His corpse has been taken to Gwagwalada teaching hospital. He was truly sick in custody and we tried to save his life,” he noted.
Reports also had gathered that the family through a lawyer, U.M. Dakas, Esq. wrote the petitions to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Police Service Commission.
Copies of the letter seen by newsmen on Thursday showed that the correspondences were duly acknowledged but the police authorities failed to produce Jacob Emmanuel after eight months.
The petition to the FCT commissioner dated September 4, 2024, had partly read, “It is our client’s brief that deceased was arrested sometimes in February 2024 in Mpape, FCT Abuja on the allegation of theft of television…by the nominal. Subsequently, the case was transferred from Mpape Police Station to Life Camp Police Station wherein Paul Shafi (08039234766) was assigned as the Investigation Police Officer (IPO).
“After painstaking, discreet and meticulous jnvestigation by the police, the suspect herein was found culpable of the alleged offence of theft but the offence of attempted kidnapping was not established against him hence the offence which the deceased was detained is a baillable offence but to the shock and bewilderment of our client, the IPO refused to grant the deceased administrative bail or take him to hospital for treatment despite the plead from our client.
“That all the stolen properties were recovered from the suspect through the people who bought the stolen property from the suspect and these people were not charge to court or detain as all of them were released.
“That our client last visit to the deceased sometimes in August 2024 indicate that his health condition was deteriorating and need serious medical attention in order to save his life.
“The suspect is currently at the Abattoir detention facility, Abuja and he has been in detention for the past 8 months with his health condition seriously failing and in need of medical attention.
“Investigation on the case has been concluded and it can be confirmed from the IPO, Paul Shafi.
“We respectfully seek your indulgence to use your high esteemed office to assist us so the matter can be charged to Court or in the alternative grant the suspect administrative pending when the matter will be charged to court. We are grateful in anticipation of your prompt action on this matter.”
It was learnt that while the lawless police personnel at the Anti-Kidnapping unit in Kado, awaited a bribe from Emmanuel’s family, they transferred the 22-year-old man to their base, the police unit in Guzape, notoriously known as “Abattoir.”
When contacted, the FCT command police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, had told newsmen that the command would investigate the incident and get back with findings.
In another petition seen by newsmen, the family lawyer demanded for justice for late Emmanuel.
“The above captioned subject matter refers. We act as Solicitors to MR THOMAS SALEH (Hereinafter referred to as “Our Clients”) and on whose firm and unequivocal instructions we write this letter making a urgent plea for your quick intervention and a call for justice for late Jacob Emmanuel.
“That sometimes in October 2024, Jacob Emmanuel was reported dead while in detention at Police Detention Facilities Abattoir, Abuja as a result of negligence, torture, mental harassment, inhumane treatment and cruelty meted on him.
“Our client is an uncle to the deceased who has worked tirelessly to see that the deceased was charge to or released to him on administrative to enable take him to hospital to treat him as his health condition was deteriorating while in detention for about 8 months without trial at Police detention facility at abattoir, FCT Abuja,” he wrote.
“Inspector Shafi and his friends tortured Emmanuel to death. The lawless policemen watched the poor youth give up the ghost. He boasted to us that how many of such youths have they arrested and died in detention. He was very cold and he didn’t allow us to see the victim before he died.
“We want justice. We want the Commissioner of Police and the Inspector-General of Police, Egbetokun, to come to our aid. These are the bad eggs within the Force,” a family source lamented.
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