Police brutality: 47 killed in 18 months

At least 47 people, mostly civilians, are said to have been killed in Nigeria in the past 18 months. They were shot by policemen. Others were also tortured and injured, according to a data from 2016 till date.

In November 8, 2016, a policeman allegedly killed his colleague over money sharing formula in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital while policemen stripped one Miss Ozo Amaka, whipped her with cables and canes and posted her pictures online in Umunaga, Ebonyi State. This was in August.

Another policeman allegedly shot and killed his colleague and injured four others in Zaria, Kaduna State, on December 23 over argument in a bank in Zaria.

Also, a junior police personnel under the supervision of an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dr Emmanuel Eze, was said to have tortured one Pastor Johnson Dominic for being rude to him in Ibeju, Lagos on November 22.

Furthermore, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ikenne Division of Ogun State, Mr Patrick Onwu, allegedly beat up a traffic warden, Anifat Bello, for stopping him in his private vehicle on April 11.

Another DPO, Mohammed Yakubu, was also said to have killed Jamiu Ayoade for refusing to run at the sight of the police in Ijeshatedo, Lagos on May 7.

Again, Inspector Wahab allegedly shot one Biliaminu, a motorcyclist in Iyanao-Ishashi of Lagos on February 18 because he was walking slowly on the road.

Inspector Ibrahim Oduransin shot three people, Ganiu Muritala, Bayo Iwalokun and Isiaka. He also stabbed Ade in Ijora Badia on March 30 in Lagos.

Another police inspector, Anthony Nwadike also killed Sunday Joseph in Omofin Ondo for not stopping at a checkpoint. A female police inspector, Juliana beat Mr Samuel Ezume Imo in Nwaorieubi Court premises for allegedly calling her a “manwoman’’ on November 7, 2016. Also, a police inspector shot and killed Mr. Imafidon Ogbebor in Usen Village in Edo on January 17 over domestic violence.

A traffic warden, Sunday Charles and others beat Kingley, a bus conductor on January 26 in Ojodu, Lagos for refusing to part with a N50 bribe.

Policemen shot and killed one Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel named Peter and injured one for stepping out of a vehicle they and others boarded in Offurum in Calabar, Cross River State.

The data also shows that policemen brutalised Professor Sunday Edeko in Ekpoma, Edo State on March 13, for asking questions, while they beat Mr Bash Ali, the renowned boxer in Abuja on February 13 for demanding an appointment with the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung.

Furthermore, a policeman beat Austen Akazue and Ogbonna Nwosu for not giving them a copy of the Vanguard newspaper in Elele-Alimi in Rivers State.

Recently, a video of how policemen chained a bus driver in Benin, Edo State, went viral on the social media.

In January, the police shot and killed Ikeokwu Onyemachi because he refused to surrender his motorcycle in Abia.

Inspector Chijioke also assaulted Mrs Pamela Nnamani in Lagos over children’s custody on January 5.

Corporal Sunday David killed Sulaimon and Segun in Amoo, Agege, Lagos over money on January 8. A policeman also shot and killed Busayo Famoku and two others in Igbara-Oke, Ondo State on January 26 for blocking the street.

On February 3, Sergeant Ologunowaa Ojo shot and killed Taye Akande, 45, for sitting on the fence of the premises he was guarding at Akodo, Lagos.

On February 12, the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS) beat and killed Adekunle Balogun, also known as Dragnet in Oke-Afo, Lagos over an alleged petition by a neighbour.

A policeman also killed an SS3 student, Sadiq Inusa in Pantami Staduim of Gombe because he was alleged to have stoned the police.

On March 9, a policeman nicknamed Yellow killed Alimi Akeem, also known as Sakilayewa in Orita Sanni, Saki town in Oyo State for not offering him a N100 bribe.

In Ajuwon, Ogun State, a policeman beat and detained an 8-year-old pupil, Oyindamola Omole and his mother, Mrs Nimota Omole on March 16, for reporting his teacher to his mother.

Policemen beat and detained Olanike Adelakun Odewale, a lawyer in Ibadan, Oyo State on March 22 for making a phone call in Apata Police Station.

A policeman shot and killed Bitram Boyi Baka in Gombe for a mistaken identity in March.

During the same period, Corporal Longe beat and stripped Sunday Elimihe in Onpanu Lagos on April 6 for refusing to part with a N1,000 bribe.

The police in Port Harcourt shot Peter Offurum on April 11 for protesting hike in school fees of the University of Port Harcourt. Again, Corporal Taiye tortured Gafar Ayoola to death at 19, Denton Police Division in Lagos on April 23.

A policeman tortured Adesina Adewuyi, 45, in Agbado Divisional Police Station, Ogun State on April 30. Also, a policeman shot and killed Eluweru in Itire, Lagos in May.

In Onitsha, Anambra State, policemen beat Nonso Uchenweke for fighting his female police neighbour.

In Jimeta, Adamawa State, the police tortured Kabir Ahmed to coma for challenging their excesses.

Similarly, two policemen, identified as Odetunde Taofeek and Inionbong Bassey, tortured Taiwo Rasaq on May 30 in Lagos for demanding to know his offence.

Again, Corporal Taiwo killed Muyiwa Ijaduola in Igando, Lagos on June 23 for offering N300 instead of N500 bribe.

Corporal Morul Awoleke killed Hameed Akanji in Ilaro, Ogun State for refusing to part with N100 in June 1, while Corporal Matthew Oche pushed Francis Ogbole at Iddo, Ebuta-Metta, Lagos during an argument over a tinted glass permit, an action that led to his death on July 6.

A police and army personnel stabbed Yakubu Abu in Rukubi, Nasarawa State in July for discussing near a farm they were guarding.

In Sabon Gari, Kano, the Special Anti Robbery Squad shot Tochukwu Iro for refusing to stop when he was ordered to do so in July 27.

Police officers killed Okaye Omodi and Zekeri Mohammed on August 10 in Nunku of Nasarawa State while they killed Innocent Kokorifa in August 18 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Sergeant Isaac shot and killed Fatai Ajani in Orile-Ifamu in Lagos on August 28 for not moving away from a vehicle.

In September, policemen killed Chief Kalu Olowu in Ohafia, Abia State while they went to arrest him.

A policeman, Mrinyag Godsgift, shot Odoku when he was pursuing some cultists in Ekeki in Yenagoa on September 22. They also killed Segun Elegbede in the Custom area of Okaki, Bayelsa on October 16.

At Berger bus stop in Lagos, a policeman stabbed Ahmed to death for demanding N100 from a bus driver.

The data further shows that Sergeant Isah Mohammed killed one person and fractured another in Tegina, Lagos Road in Niger State on November 26 because they refused to give him N100.

A policeman, Abubakar Ahmed, shot Bukola Olugbon in the leg in Illorin, Kwara State in November.

Policemen shot Daniel Osikoya and one man in Ajao Estate, Lagos on December 31 last year.

Similarly, in the period under review, a policeman allegedly shot and killed Quezzeem Hassan in Lagos Island by accidental discharge on January 11.

Sergeant Henry stabbed Mr Lucky Asuelimen in the Ojo area of Lagos for allegedly mocking the police on January 18.

A policeman shot and injured an Air Force officer on March 2 for insisting to use an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in a bank premises in Owerri, Imo State.

Also, on April 13, a policeman killed Niyi, also known as Para in the Akowonjo area of Lagos during an argument.

A policeman, Idiahgbely Obos, beat and damaged the jaw of Miss Oluchukwu Ezemaduka in the Ejigbo area of Lagos on January 21 for not disclosing the whereabouts of his girlfriend.

Sulaiman Olamilekan, a policeman, brutalised Miss Jewel Inifinity in Port Harcourt on January 30 for “discussing him.”

Policemen tortured Oyetomi to death in detention in the Epe Area of Lagos in January.

Furthermore, a policeman shot Mr. Nse Akpan while he was waiting for a taxi in Port Harcourt in January 31.

Policemen also tortured Ifedolapo Atanusi to death in Lagos Island on February 25. They tortured Tope to death in Lagos Island on February 27 in Lagos. They also shot and killed Ali Dan Jos at the Tin Can port on March 9 for challenging the police who urinated on a parked truck.

Ibe Uchenna, a policeman, killed Uchendu Peters in Aba, Abia State on March 11 for demanding that one of the passengers earlier stopped should be brought back.

In Ketu, Lagos, policemen beat Engineer Jide Fowotade in March 11 for trying to injure them in his car. They brutalised Mrs Toyin Adeyeye in AdoEkiti on March 18 for refusing to give bribe.

Sergeant Wilson Ufere shot and killed Obinna Iwuoha, 17, in Okohia on March 23 in Imo.

Policemen shot and killed Bashiru Ayedun in Ile Ife, Osun State, on April 1.

A policeman, also known as Prince, shot and killed Kudirat Adebayo in Mushin, Lagos on April 4.

Four policemen killed Chief LuckyAyomanor in Sapele, Delta State on April 28 for allegedly possessing a rifle.

On April 28, policemen also tortured Kola Adeyeye (Aderogba) in Ibadan, Oyo State over bail money.