By Saminu Ibrahim
The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police on Wednesday received complain of how a man, Kenneth Umuuna died due to alleged torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by SARS in Kaduna.
Indeed, the complainant, Ejiofor Umuuna gave details of how his brother died, saying he was killed by SARS in Kaduna state on 3rd September 2009, adding that his corpse was only released for burial in 2016.
Specifically, he said on the 16th August 2009, he received a call from his father (now deceased) that Kenneth had been taken by SARS, led by one Inspector Kabiru Mohammed, on the instructions of one Alhaji Ahmadu Madugari, following a fight the victim had with a neighbor named Monday Igwe.
Ejiofor said when the late father visited Kenneth where he was detained, he met him in a dehumanising condition on the floor.
“When my father inquired why he was in that state, Kenneth (now deceased) told him that he was tortured, only for the father to be informed later that his son was sick”.
Meanwhile, on getting to the police station, “the father was directed to take him to the hospital where he met Kenneth on a seat looking lifeless, as he could not stand on his feet” Ejiofor added.
“He was immediately taken to a private hospital, Alba hospital by my father where they were asked to produce police report due to the condition he was brought into the hospital”.
Ejiofor informed the panel that their father moved Kenneth to 44 Army hospital in Kaduna, but was not admitted because there was no bed space.
Thereafter all the hospitals they visited, he further explained, demanded for police report before admittance, stressing that when they went back to the Police Station for the report, the police denied them.
“My father took him to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Chika, Zaria where he died on 3rd September 2009”.
He continued: “My father tried to get justice by writing petition to Inspector General of Police (IGP), but the IGP directed the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna to investigate the complaints”.
However, Monday Igwe, Alhaji Ahmadu Madugari, Insp Kabiru Mohammed were invited by the Commissioner where they were detained for only a day.
Consequently, the family’s prayer before the panel is to get justice for Kenneth Umuuna and financial compensation of N700,000,000 (Seven hundred million naira) only.
Hearing was adjourned to 12th January 2021.
