Female protester narrates how anti- riot police allegedly shot her in Nasarawa
AMEMBER of Women for Justice, a group, which embarked on a 10- month protest demanding ‘ electoral justice’ for David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), has alleged she was shot by anti- riot police officers in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The officers had been deployed to disperse the protesters, following a Supreme Court verdict on the Nasarawa governorship poll, which didn’t favour Ombugadu.
The 58- year- old mother, Grace John, said she, alongside other peaceful protesters, came out on January 19, to celebrate the anticipated victory of Ombugadu.
The woman, who is responding to treatment, said when the verdict did not favour Ombugadu, she and the others started crying and praying at the PDP secretariat, when some hoodlums invaded the place and beat them up.
She said: “We came out of the secretariat compound by the roadside and we were shouting, ‘ Why the attack on us!’ Suddenly, the police arrived and started harassing us.
“I saw myself on the floor with blood gushing out of my lower stomach while the others ran in confusion. The police were beating us and shouting. “Later, I was helped by some people. I don’t even know who took me to the police clinic. While at the clinic, I was taken to the theatre and operated upon.
“After the operation, I was in serious pain. So, they referred me to Dalhatu Specialist Hospital because they did not have the equipment for carrying out further operations on me.”
Her daughter, Janet, also told newsmen that her mother was shot by the police who were sent to disperse the women.
According to Janet, the first doctor, who operated on her mother, removed the bullet but could not handle other complications that resulted from the gunshot.
She commended the efforts of the medical personnel who ensured her mother survived.
The police, however, denied shooting, saying the protesters were arrested and taken to court over alleged public disturbances.
Recall that some women who embarked on peaceful protest in favour of Ombugadu, were dispersed by anti- riot police, who arrested 38 of them and took them to the court. The women, who have been denied bail, were remanded in custody by a Magistrate’s court in Lafia, which fixed today, January 25, for hearing on their bail applications.