A lady recently assaulted by officers of the Nigerian Police Force in Osun State has narrated her travails since the ordeal. Tola Azeez was beaten in Odo Ori Market in Iwo, Osun State while trying to get medicine for her relatives at a closeby pharmacy last weekend.
The actions of police officers were condemned by the Inspector General of police, the Osun State government and the Oluwo of Iwo. Speaking to the press for the first time since the attack, Tola said the assault on her happened at about 10 am on Saturday 18, April 2020.
“I had gone out to a pharmacy store to procure drugs for my daughter and having walked some distance, I got help from a passerby on a motorbike who ran for dear life at the site of the policemen and I took refuge under the shed in front of a building where I was accosted by the police who asked what I was doing there”.
“I made an attempt to explain to the police officers and without waiting to listen to me, they pounced on me with clubs and whips and all manner of things as seen in the video that went viral. Let it be on record that the video only showed a part of the incidence as I was beaten right from under the shed to the roadside where the video captured.”
Ms Tola said the officers who carried out the attack are Inspector Ikuesan Taiwo (AP No 251724) and PC Abass Ibrahim (Force number 509634).
“I am still under medical and psychological examination as the damage done to me physically, emotionally and psychologically are unquantifiable. I only pray to overcome the pains and the trauma in no distant time.”
Disappointment
She, however, expressed her displeasure over the position of Osun State Police Spokesperson on the matter.
“While it is commendable that the Osun State Commissioner of Police did set up an investigation panel to look into the matter and conducted an orderly room trial which I witnessed and provided oral evidence where a judgement was supposedly pronounced, they were pronounced dismissed.”
“It is quite heartbreaking to listen to the PRO of the police force in the state on one of the radio stations where she said that investigation is yet to be concluded and decision not yet taken.”
“I consider this as an attempt to sweep the matter under the carpet and will like to emphasize that justice will be best served when the officers are paraded and subsequently stripped of what makes them officers of the law to eliminate the bias and further threats of intimidation and threat to life and property.”
“I want to assure the general public that the matter will be taken up in the court of law to serve as a deterrent to other lawbreakers parading as law enforcement agents.”
Police speaks
When contacted by POLITICS NIGERIA, the Spokesperson of the Osun Police command told this newspaper that the two officers are yet to be dismissed.
“Out of anger, the commissioner said the officers stand dismissed. It does not work that way. An investigative panel has been put in place. They will submit their recommendation to the commissioner who will then submit to the highest authorities”
“This, I was trying to explain. For now, I have not been given the recommendation of the disciplinary committee. Once I get that, I will send to you”. he said.
