Some policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Anambra State have allegedly assaulted a female member of the National Youth Service Corps, identified only as Akinlabi.
Narrating her ordeal during a press chat, the victim said she was “practically naked” in her room when the policemen struck around 2am and beat her up.
She said the cops claimed that they were looking for Internet fraudsters.
Akinlabi said the incident happened on September 17, adding that she was fast asleep when the cops entered her compound.
She said, “Around 2am on that day, a team of people invaded our compound claiming to be SARS and searching for Yahoo guys.
“They broke my window net, pointed their torchlight at my face while asleep and commanded me to open the entrance door for them.
“I was scared to do as they commanded because I couldn’t identify who they were. Rather, I shouted and ran into the passage for help.
“On getting to the passage, I saw another set of people at the window, threatening to deal with me if I did not open the door.
“As I continued to shout for help, one of my neighbours opened her door for me and I entered her room. I was shocked as they still came to the window of the woman, insisting that we must open the door or they would break it.
“Some of them later broke into an empty room by cutting off the burglary proof and entering the passage. The others broke the burglary proof of the room we were and opened the door for others to have access to the room. They started assaulting me by slapping and hitting me with cutlasses and sticks.
“At this point, I was practically naked and had to plead with them to allow me to put on my clothes, which they eventually allowed me to do. But they violated my privacy, as I was forced to dress up in their presence.
“The beating continued after that and I got handcuffed like a common criminal for an offence I knew nothing about.”
The corps member called on the Inspector-General of Police, right groups and the international community to bring the officers to justice and get her compensated.
The Anambra State Police Command said it had commenced investigation into the incident.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, said the Commissioner of Police, John Abang, had invited the corps member through the NYSC state coordinator.
Mohammed added that the CP had ordered investigation into the matter.
