[url=http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Opinion/5471402-148/An_example%20of_police_brutality__.csp]Source[/url]

SIR: Fellow Nigerians, let us arise and say 'No' to police brutality in Nigeria after 49 years of independence. On October 2, 2009 at about 5.30 p.m., I witnessed a heart-breaking incident at Gbara Bus Stop along Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos. I saw armed mobile policemen beating a young man. At the scene of the incident was a crowd of over 50 people watching in amazement. I went closer to enquire from a spectator and I was informed that a certain woman hit a truck pusher with a jeep and she claimed the truck pusher brushed her car. Arguments ensued between the said woman, the truck pusher and other eyewitnesses as to who was right or wrong. While both parties were throwing tantrums, the said woman called the mobile police.

In about 15-20 minutes, a police vehicle with inscription Victoria Island/Lekki/Victoria Garden City (VGC) Convoy Patrolwith registration number (Lagos) HR 94 EKY arrived at the scene with about five fierce-looking armed mobile policemen. On sighting the policemen, all spectators took to their heels. The ferocious policemen caught one of the boys who had earlier argued in support of the truck pusher. He was beaten mercilessly.

I arrived at the scene when the policemen were manhandling and torturing the said man. They kicked him with their boots and hit him with the edge of their guns. I wanted to intervene in the unfair and illegal treatment meted out to the man and through the direction of one of the eye witnesses, I approached the woman (that called the police) and appealed to her to order the policemen to stop the inhuman treatment and the grievous battery.

She shouted at me and ordered me to get out of her sight. I then introduced myself as a lawyer and a concerned citizen. She then told me that she was also a lawyer. I became furious at that point because I could not imagine a legal practitioner initiating and authorising such an illegality in a democratic society where human rights are topmost priority to the government.

The woman in question immediately called one of the policemen and instructed him to send me away from the scene which he attempted but I resisted his attempt. The policeman shouted at me and assaulted me, pointing a gun at me and ordered me to leave. I left but quickly returned with a friend. We picked the police van plate number which is (Lagos) HR 94 EKY and the plate number of the jeep belonging to the so-called lawyer which is (Lagos) EQ 278 LND. The police shot their gun at a point to disperse the crowd at the scene of the incident. Many people ran for safety and some fell into the ditch by the road under construction by Lekki Concession Company ( LCC).

I was made to understand that the patrol vehicle and the police were security operatives attached to an oil company. I am surprised and disappointed that a lawyer, who is expected to be an officer in the temple of justice can employ some unprofessional police officers attached to a reputable company to batter, molest and subject poor citizens to inhumane treatment in their own country. This is unacceptable and should not be allowed to die a natural death.

I hereby call on the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State to investigate the excesses of the mobile policemen involved in such cruel treatment of fellow Nigerians. I also implore the Nigerian Bar Association to determine whether the actions of the said woman claiming to be a lawyer is consistently with the ethics of the legal profession and the oath she swore to (assuming she is a lawyer she claimed to be) as a legal practitioner. Finally, I call on human rights groups to investigate this matter and ensure justice is done and the fundamental human rights of the said man enforced. Enough is enough! How long shall we continue to endure police brutality in Nigeria?

Melvin Daji,
Lagos

bump

I hope u will do more then just putting it on NL. Why didn't u take pictures did u ask for the boys contacts. Why didn't u declare right then and there that u are the man's lawyer. Why did u only watch without doing anything. What will be ure next move.

Sadly there is nothing you can do about it.The ''civilised '' spectators watched with ecstacy as a man was brutally brutalised,they cheered and jeered as the police pumelled an innocent citizen to a state of disrepair.It shows how sick we are in this country.My advice for you is to rest the case because worse things happen and the police get away with it.Pushing the case will be tantamount to jeopardizing your person .I have lived in this country long enough to know how things works.
i know you are a legal practitoner but hate it or love it,this country has no law.

I wonder if these bastards have family. How can U treat Ur fellow man like dirt and then go home to Ur wife and kids.

@timbuktu1,

You have done well to post this on NL.

The Nigerian Police Force is an enemy to the average Nigerian. This type of nonsense has to stop. Please post this on all Nigerian blogs you can find, e.g. Nigerian Village Square, etc. Also, try to send this to the print media - Guardian, This Day, etc.

May God bless you as you do your work. Amen.

We complain about whiteman being bad to us but we do more horrible things to one than whiteman will ever do.We are our own worst enemies.

The country is lawless and the weak are at the mercy of corrupt rich,the money miss roads.

She shouted at me and ordered me to get out of her sight. I then introduced myself as a lawyer and a concerned citizen. S[b]he then told me that she was also a lawyer[/b]. I became furious at that point because I could not imagine a legal practitioner initiating and authorising such an illegality in a democratic society where human rights are topmost priority to the government.

(Lagos) EQ 278 LND

our so called educated big men and their lust for power

Our people are just sick in the head
Good job for doing your own part in exposing this shameful act. Someone gotta start from somewhere.

I have sworn to God that if police is the last job on earth,i will not enlist.,.,From the least constable to the i.G,who among them is good.,

SeanT21:

I wonder if these bastards have family. How can U treat your fellow man like dirt and then go home to your wife and kids.

I also think the same.

Remember reading this in Guardian and feeling so embittered at the woman and the soldiers. How bad can things get! Anybody that has power can deal with any innocent person now and go away with it. Too bad

but poster did not tell us the offense this fellow committed to warrant this brutality. maybe robbery, stealing or other serious offense that will warrant your fellow legal practitioner to support the brutality.

Is there any rule of law at all.

Yep, this is why Africa (Nigeria especially) will always remain as it is (Keeping your hopes up people but this land ain't gonna see no changes for the next two centuries, i can assure you).When our people come into a little progress in life, they tend to have a "God complex".Everyone is guilty.

@op, you haven't seen anything, they are worst than you think, thank God i have an airforce friend

It's always been my slogan " Police Man Touch Any Member of my Family, and See Fire for Fire''