From Church To Cell: Worshippers Allege Random Arrests On Crossover Night, Assault, N200,000 Extortion By Police
From Church To Cell: Worshippers Allege Random Arrests On Crossover Night, Assault, N200,000 Extortion By Police
Police officers from the command, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Adejobi Olumuyiwa, had on New Year’s Eve carried out what witnesses described as a random arrest of more than 40 persons, most of whom were worshippers attending crossover night church services in different parts of Asaba.
Suspects arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command in Asaba have accused the command of extortion before granting them bail.
Police officers from the command, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Adejobi Olumuyiwa, had on New Year’s Eve carried out what witnesses described as a random arrest of more than 40 persons, most of whom were worshippers attending crossover night church services in different parts of Asaba.
SaharaReporters reliably gathered that the arrests took place at multiple locations, including Inter-Bau Roundabout, Direct Labour Agency (DLA) Road and other areas of the state capital.
Police sources who spoke with SaharaReporters disclosed that after the arrests, the suspects were handed over by the DCP Operations, Adejobi Olumuyiwa, to the Commander of the Eagle Net unit, CSP Inusa Gwaza.
In a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the command described the arrested persons as “hoodlums,” alleging that they engaged in violent conduct, attacked police officers, knocked down commuters and threw fireworks at members of the public.
However, SaharaReporters gathered that several of those arrested were either on their way to crossover night church services or returning from worship when they were picked up by the police and taken to the State Police Command, where they were allegedly framed
Some of the suspects, who were later granted bail, told SaharaReporters that they were extorted sums ranging between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 before being released.
One of the suspects, a staff member of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) who was granted bail on self-recognition and requested anonymity, described the experience as a reflection of what he called deep-rooted corruption within the Nigeria Police Force.
“You see, corruption can never be eradicated from the Nigeria Police Force, no way. Because of bribery and corruption, these men in uniform went round town, arresting innocent worshippers going to and returning from crossover night church services in Asaba. They took them to the police headquarters, where it became easy to extort money from people in the name of bail,” he said.
“I was released only because I am a staff member of the Federal Road Safety Corps. But do you know they refused to release two of my friends who were arrested with me during the crossover night?
“Many of those eventually released were forced to pay between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 each for bail, right inside the Asaba Police Command. What kind of country is this, for Christ’s sake? In your own country, the police are supposed to protect you, but they are now the ones tormenting us.”
“How do you arrest innocent worshippers, label them hoodlums, and then fail to charge them to court, yet extort ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 from them for bail? Painfully, these officers operate hand in hand with top-ranking officials,” the source lamented.
A lawyer who requested anonymity also confirmed to SaharaReporters that when he visited the State Police Command on behalf of some clients, the police still extorted ₦150,000 each from three of them despite his appeals.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, Mrs Blessing Ezeigbo said that while she, her brother and her two children were returning from a crossover night church service, police officers fired tear gas at Inter-Bau Roundabout.
As she and her brother searched for the two children, the police allegedly grabbed her brother and assaulted him. When she asked what offence he had committed, the officers reportedly turned on her, assaulted her, broke one of her teeth and arrested her brother, Michael Ezeigbo, without any stated offence.
Investigations further revealed that Benjamin Eboka, Godspower Udoh and Michael Onochie were arrested along with their vehicle while driving to a crossover night church service at Direct Labour Agency (DLA) Road in Asaba.
A police source, who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity, criticised what he described as the manner of operations of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Adejobi Olumuyiwa, alleging a disregard for the rule of law and human rights.
The source said, “DCP Olumuyiwa does not even listen to Deputy Inspectors-General, largely because of his closeness to the Inspector-General of Police.
“He recently arrested over 300 people in Agbor, including impounding vehicles belonging to traditional rulers over alleged number plate issues.
“If you visit the police cells, you will see many police officers attached to VIPs who have been arrested and detained by him. DCP Olumuyiwa is overstepping his bounds and needs to be cautioned immediately.”
When contacted over the alleged random crossover night arrests, the outgoing Delta State Commissioner of Police, now Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, said he had handed over his duties.
Meanwhile, the newly posted Commissioner of Police, James Adeshola, said he had not yet assumed office as the substantive CP.
Several calls and messages sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Adejobi, who is currently overseeing the command pending the resumption of the new commissioner, were not responded to.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, when contacted, said there was nothing he could do about the situation, as the matter involved his superiors in the command.
