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James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account - Crime (4) - Nairaland

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Survivors Of Awkuzu SARS Said Squad Sold Body Parts Of Executed Victims / EndSARS: Nigerians Curse Anthonia Nwafor, Wife Of James Nwafor (photos) / James Nwafor: "I Killed Your Son & Nothing Will Happen" - Awkuzu SARS (2) (3) (4)

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Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by worldclass68(m): 9:32pm On Oct 16, 2020
Mgbadike80:
#EndSARS: "We Drank Our Urine To
Quench Thirst In SARS Cell"--SARS
Victim

#EndSARS: "We drank our urine to
quench thirst in SARS cell"---SARS
Victim Recounts.
As the ‘EndSARS’ campaign
continues to sweep across the
nation, a 23-year-old man has
recounted his horrifying encounter
with operatives of the Special Anti-
Robbery Squad (SARS), Awkuzu, in
Anambra State.
It was learnt that some SARS
operatives had been threatening the
young man and because of this, his
real name is concealed.
It is, however, important to note that
Amnesty International is solidly
behind this young man in his quest
for justice. For the purpose of this
write up, he would be called
"Chijindu".
Chijindu was arrested on February
13, 2017, in Anambra State, after he
was accused of stealing a laptop.
He was moved to Awkuzu SARS
around 6:30pm that fateful day. He
recalled that immediately he was
dragged to SARS office, he was
frisked and his money, N15,400,
which was in his pocket, was
confiscated. The policemen also
allegedly collected his wristwatch,
necklace and phone.
He further recounted: “When the
Admin officer saw me, he directed
his men to go and hang me. They
took me to the back of a hall and tied
me with ropes. They tied my hands
behind; tied my two legs and then
joined the ropes in the hands and
that of the legs by the back causing
my chest to protrude.
They had two already prepared iron
stands where they used to hang
people. They crossed an iron rod
through the ropes and then lifted me
up by the rod and hung me on the
iron stand. They started using all
manner of items to beat me,
including machete and sticks. They
inflicted injuries on me.
“One of the officers, Simeon, used an
exhaust pipe to hit my teeth,
breaking them. I was left hanging for
more than three hours. I shouted
until I started vomiting blood.
Another officer, Agaba, told them to
bring me down; that he didn’t want
to hear my cries again. When the
officer left, my torturers forced a
handkerchief into my mouth and tied
it with a rope. I was in that state for
more than two hours and then I
became semi-conscious.”
According to Chijindu, when Simeon
came to check and noticed he had
almost lost consciousness, he called
their team leader, Aghaogu, who was
also the second in command (2ic) of
the team. Aghaogu ordered that
Chijindu be brought down.
Chijindu said: “They dumped me
inside the interrogation hall. Simeon
brought my phone, and asked me if I
was the owner. I told him I bought it
with my money. He took out my two
SIM cards and destroyed them with
his teeth. He then dropped the phone
into his drawer. He told me that it
was exhibit.
“Aghaogu instructed them to take me
to cell five, which is the worst cell in
Awkuzu SARS. Those in cell five
hardly eat or drink water. The next
morning, they brought me out of the
cell and took me to Onitsha. They
forced me to go and show them
where I sold phones and laptops. In
Onitsha, at Emeka Offor Plaza, they
arrested four persons, alleging that
the four guys bought things from me.
“But the truth was that I had never
met any of those men in my life.
They also took me to my aunt’s
house in Onitsha and arrested her
son. When we returned from Onitsha,
they returned me to the place where
they had hung me the previous day.
They threatened to hang me again
since I didn’t want to confess.
Another officer, Peter Emiator, took a
2×2 wood and started hitting me on
my two legs. He said that he would
cripple me since I seemed to be
stubborn.
He gave me several injuries.The
scars are still on my body.”
He said that at a point, Aghaogu took
Simeon to one corner and had a
discussion with him. After the
discussion, Simeon returned and
without blinking, pulled out his gun
and fired Chijindu’s right leg. Another
officer, who witnessed the cold
blooded shooting, reprimanded
Simeon.
“My leg started bleeding. Simeon
told him that he shouldn’t worry, that
they would treat me. Then they took
the singlet of one of their victims and
tied the bullet injury and returned me
to cell five. The owner of the singlet
was terribly tortured and shot in the
leg and dumped in the cell without
any treatment. He died the following
morning as a result of the torture,”
Chinjindu recalled.
The following day, the person that
allegedly complained that Chijindu
stole his laptop, paid a visit to SARS.
The suspect was brought and right in
his presence, the policemen started
quizzing Chijindu about the laptop.
Chijindu said: “I told them that I
didn’t know anything about the
laptop. The complainant left and I
was returned to the cell. That was
the last time I heard from the
complainant. He didn’t visit again. I
was kept in the cell from February
13, 2017 to March 17. We were not
given food except some Reverend
Sisters or family members of
detainees bring food. The Reverend
Sister usually bring food on
Thursdays and Saturdays.
On March 17, there was a rumour
that the Human Rights people were
coming on emergency inspection of
Awkuzu SARS. The policemen
brought us out; we were 10 in
number. They put us in bus and
moved us to another of their cell in
Neni.”
The Commander at Neni told Chijindu
and other suspects to remove their
boxers, which was the only garment
they had on. The suspects were left
naked. The commander instructed his
men to take the suspects to cell one.
This cell is nicknamed, ‘condemned
cell.’
Chijindu narrated: “We passed two
passages and then went to a third
passage, leading to the cell. After a
while, the commander came to
address us. He promised to speak
with the OC at Awkuzu, to permit
them at Neni to give us water to
drink.
“We waited for two days without any
food or water. Then some of us
started shouting from the cell, calling
on them to give us water. Some of us
started urinating and drinking the
urine. One of the officers at Neni,
nicknamed ‘Too-much-money,’
admonished us to save our strength.
He said that we still had a long way
to go. Because of this admonition,
we shouted the more. We screamed
that it was better for them to shoot
and kill us, than to starve us to
death.
They replied that they preferred to
watch us die one after the other.”
When the suspects continued to cry
weakly for water, the exasperated
policemen allegedly teargas them
into silence. The suspects started
crying; they prayed for death, but
death refused to come. They were
brought out from their cell, and
teargassed again, but this time with
another kind of teargas; this one was
wrapped. The policemen then locked
the suspects inside, with many
almost choking to death.
Chijindu said: “It was terrible. All of
my fellow inmates collapsed. Some
were foaming from the mouth. I was
the only conscious person, but the
effect of the gas was bending my
neck and twisting my two hands. We
were in that condition for three days.
On the third day, they came to check
whether we were still alive.
"They found that we were still
breathing, although the teargas had
dried almost all the water in our
system, making us weaker. They
washed the cells and applied some
substances after which they returned
all suspects to cells.”
All this while, the suspects were yet
to be given water. Chijindu said that
they continued to beg for water, but
there was no succor.
The Station Officer (SO) asked if any
of the suspect came to the world with
any cloth, they responded no. He
then asked them if they would go
with any cloth when they died, they
also responded no. He then left them
without saying another word.
Chijindu noted: “It was then we
realized that it was a death
sentence.”
He continued: “After that week, one
of us, Ifeanyi, was bailed, leaving
nine of us behind. Before the end of
that second week, four, among us
died; Okechukwu, Uchenna,
Uchechukwu and Chinedu. Their
corpses were left with us in the cell
until the policemen were ready to
evacuate them.”
Chijindu further revealed that on the
third week, three persons died;
Ngirima, Victor Azubuike and Ojoto.
Two among the corpses were moved
after a full day in the cell with the
suspects, while Ojoto’s corpse was
left in the cell with the suspects for
three days before it was evacuated.
Chijindu said that the corpse Ojoto
was already decomposing before it
was removed.
“When the policemen were taking
Ojoto’s remains away, I heard them
saying, “this one don rotten; no need
to carry go Akwuzu, make we bury
am for here”.
I managed with the little energy left
in me to stretch and peep through
our tiny window. I watched and saw
how they buried Ojoto beside a soak-
away-pit at the back of their office
there in Neni,” said Chijindu.
On Easter Sunday, one of the officers
came to attend to suspects in the
cells. He told the suspects that their
commander would celebrate Easter
for them. Alas, nothing was given to
them.
The following day, which was Easter
Monday, while Chidinju was praying,
he heard Tochukwu give up his last
breath . The suspects alerted the
policemen and Tochukwu’s corpse
was moved.
But before Tochukwu died, two new
suspects had joined them in the cell.
They are Ifeanyi Mba and Ekene
Nwoke. They were both transferred
from Akwuzu. When Tochukwu died,
Ifeanyi and Ekene started crying.
A week after the death of Tochukwu,
there were moves to bail one of the
new suspects, Chinjidu secretly
handed him a piece of paper. The
paper contained non-inked written
information on how to locate his
sister and the direction to his home
in Nnewi which he had managed to
scribble with a piece of broken
broom stick.
The young man fulfilled his promise;
he located the home and family of
Chijindu. He disclosed to them, the
horror the young men were passing
through in SARS detention facilities.
Chijindu family contacted some
Human Right activists. It was
discovered that Chijindu family
members didn’t know he was in
detention. They had been looking for
him, almost about to declare him
missing. Chijindu family and the
activists started making frantic
efforts to get him out.
They were further worried after
hearing that he had a gunshot wound
on his leg, which was festering.
Chijindu said: “The Human Rights
people went to Awkuzu and asked
after me, the OC SARS called the
Station Officer in Neni, who was
behind our cell taking his call. The
OC reprimanded the commander for
allowing us to survive. I overheard
their conversation because the SO's
phone was on speaker. The OC
accused them of giving us food, an
accusation which the SO denied.
Then the SO and his men brought all
of us out and started flogging us.
They were mad at me. They searched
everywhere, looking for writing
materials or phone, with which I
communicated to the outside world.
They couldn’t find anything. They
threatened to bring me out and
“finish” me. On April 24, 2017,
around 9:30pm, some policemen
came to Neni and took me to
Awkuzu.
“The following day, which was a
Tuesday, policemen brought me out
to the see the OC SARS. The OC
asked me if I was Chijindu, I said
yes. He openly expressed shock that
I survived Neni.
The OC then asked me whether I had
eaten anything, I said no. He asked
me what I wanted to eat, I told him
that I wanted liquid as I found it very
difficult to swallow. He asked them
to go and get me tea with bread.
The following day they took me to
Magistrate’s Court at Nteje.”
When Chijindu was arraigned, it was
discovered that there was no
complainant, no witness. He also
didn’t have legal representation. The
police charged him for armed
robbery. The Magistrate referred the
case to High court.
The New Telegraph Newspaper, had
earlier chronicled an award winning
piece on the killings of suspects and
other atrocities committed by SARS
men across Nigeria. The chronicle
was recognized and applauded by
the Wole Soyinka Centre of
Investigative Journalism.
The atrocities in SARS had spanned
many Inspectors-Generals of Police,
but it is on record, that former IGP,
Solomon Arase rose against such
horrendous activities. It was also
during his administration that some
SARS men were dismissed for killing
detainees and other shocking acts.
Immediately Arase left office, the
Force went back to its old ways of
flagrant impunity.
An Amnesty International Nigeria
spokesperson, Mr Damian Ugwu,
reacting to those support SARS
activities, said: “It was disheartening
to see pictures of young man and
women in Port Harcourt and Abuja,
carrying banners in support of SARS.
I often wonder how far some
Nigerians are willing to go to survive.
Most worrisome is that some people
who claimed to represent Anambra
State were also part of the charade.
For the record Anambra State is the
home of SARS Awkuzu.”
According to Amnesty International,
detainees were subjected to “horrific
torture methods, including hanging,
starvation, beatings, shootings and
mock executions, at the hands of
corrupt SARS officers.
Ugwu, said: “A police unit created to
protect the people has instead
become a danger to society, torturing
its victims with complete impunity
while fomenting a toxic climate of
fear and corruption. Our research has
uncovered a pattern of ruthless
human rights violations where
victims are arrested and tortured until
they either make a ‘confession’ or
pay officers a bribe to be released.
Most of the time, huge amounts
ranging from N100,000 to even
N500,000 was paid to secure the
release of some of those detained.
Failure to meet such huge financial
demands meant imminent death
while in detention. The SARS officers
are getting rich through their brutality
because as you can see, it seems
that torture has become a lucrative
business.”
Amnesty International said it found
130 detainees living in overcrowded
cells at a SARS detention in Abuja
known as the ‘Abattoir’.
Investigation has showed that people
detained by SARS, are often not
allowed access to a lawyer, a doctor
or family members while in
incarceration. Yet in various cases
where victims of police torture or
other ill-treatment attempted to seek
justice, the authorities took no
action.
“It is time for the authorities to
ensure that officers responsible for
such human rights violations are
finally held accountable. There is
also an urgent need for robust
legislation that ensures all acts of
torture are offences under Nigeria’s
criminal law,” said Ugwu.
The Police Public Relation Officer
(FPRO), Jimoh Moshood, has
dismissed allegations of torture and
crimes leveled against SARS. SARS
was established by the Nigeria police
to tackle armed robberies. On
December 2, Nigerians took to the
social media to condemn impunity
among SARS operatives. One of
those who shared their experiences
is Chijindu.
Moshood told Nigerians to be wary of
their use of social media saying the
#EndSARS was started by someone
with an ulterior motive. He said the
social media was porous and users
should be cautious.
His words: “Somebody who has an
ulterior motive put up the hashtag
and said #EndSARS now. Nigerians
should be mindful because the social
media is very porous. What is the
cause of the outcry in the first place?
This was why the IGP was concerned
about the cause of the outcry. People
should be mindful of the intention of
the person that put up the hashtag
that people are falling into it.”
According to him, SARS has been in
operation for over 40 years and
those calling for a scrap of the squad
should disabuse their minds as they
are performing their duties well.
Speaking concerning complaints and
allegations by some social media
users of being brutalized by SARS,
Moshood said Nigerians should
report complains about the
operations of SARS.
He said: “We’re not saying there is
no infraction. If there are infraction
not only in SARS personnel, even
other conventional policemen that
carry out other responsibility, people
should report to us and it will be
addressed. When you have
complaints, report to us and it will be
addressed.
There has not been any specific
violation of human rights leveled
against any SARS personnel. So
anybody that is spreading such a
rumor is not doing the nation any
good. SARS has no excesses and
when there is any, we do investigate.
The call for SARS to be scrapped
should be condemned by all well-
meaning Nigerians.” the Police
spokesman said.
SOURCE: https://web.facebook.com/
AnambraOnline/
posts/1493588180719445

https://www.nairaland.com/4239124/endsars-drank-urine-quench-thirst#63375277



Hmmmmmmmm imagine doing that to ur fellow human being, not to talk of same tribesman......... embarassed embarassed cry

2 Likes

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by kponkedenge(m): 9:40pm On Oct 16, 2020
Why is this guy still walking freely?

4 Likes

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by dangotesmummy: 9:40pm On Oct 16, 2020
humilitypays:
Honestly if Buhari and Osinbajo allow OC James Nwafor to go unpunished, God will visit them and their children soonest not later!



Anambra people, Willie Obiano must not win reelection into that position as Anambra Governor!

For hiring this killer, Willie Obiano is complacent too, gosh!! I am crying reading these stories cry cry
both of them.obiano/James are accomplices of these barbaric crimes

1 Like 1 Share

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by frozen70(f): 9:41pm On Oct 16, 2020
This is so dis heartening

My heart bleeds after reading this barbaric act

What a horror

1 Like

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by Liposure: 9:42pm On Oct 16, 2020
This people are heartless
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by worldclass68(m): 9:42pm On Oct 16, 2020
I think we should have secret independence Nigerian nationalists/Patriotists just like how they use to have in the United States !!!


We seriously need to delete some elements in this country if you get what I mean!

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by braveboi4life: 9:42pm On Oct 16, 2020
I have said it that politicians should steer clear of this agitation, they are notorious and are part of what is going on in SARS either directly or indirectly, Obiano cannot tell me that he doesnt know about the activities of Nwafor and how notorious, devilish and wicked he has been. Imagine someone that has been a governor for about 6years doesnt know about the devilish Awkuzu SARS, Its obvious he was brought into his government to do some dirty and stainless jobs. It never occured to him that a day like this would come. What he just did by dismissing him from his govt was to save his face. I can bet every one with my left balls that the prosecution of Mr Nwafor will never see the light of the day. Top on the list that would use all means to frustrate his prosecution is the governor.

Shame on them, all politicians, including sanwaolu, wike, obiano, makinde e.t.c including the pseudo democrats like sowore, durotoye Ezekwesili we dont want their pretence.

We the youths will fight our way true. cry embarassed
# A BIG SHAME ON WILLI WILLI OBIANO

12 Likes 1 Share

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by dangotesmummy: 9:43pm On Oct 16, 2020
do4luv14:



Somebody that had gone into hiding, before youth will reach his place






then they should burn down his house and hotel lipsrsealed

How can he be killing with brazen impunity and still be alive?


How can he cause pain to parents and still be hiding somewhere.both the person hiding him and him,they will both die disgraceful death and the blood he has spilled will keep crying for vengeance on him and his family

1 Like

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by aspirebig: 9:44pm On Oct 16, 2020
Why are criminal always finding their ways into the force in Nigeria?

The rate of bad news we consume daily in this country is alarming.

1 Like

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by KingRamesses: 9:46pm On Oct 16, 2020
[quote author=uniqueboi1 post=94975910]James Nwafor

He must be lynched to death. That is the price of of his sins.

One can be a police officer and not kill a soul. He clearly derived joy in shooting his victims. Giving them headshots.

You will die unfortunately, your family inclusive.


That’s not how to punish such miscreant scumbag , Vietnam Suit is the best for someone like him , double Shorts sleeve and double Three quarters ,nothing sweet like artificial legs and hands for them bastard .. be advised please don’t do it at home thanks

1 Like

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by Nobody: 9:52pm On Oct 16, 2020
juniormod:

What happened to ipobexposed bro, I am new here.

Use Google
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by NairaLEARN: 9:53pm On Oct 16, 2020
So sad
All this in Anambra state
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by uniqueboi1(m): 9:53pm On Oct 16, 2020
[quote author=KingRamesses post=95013287][/quote]

Hahahaha
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by Munzy14(m): 9:54pm On Oct 16, 2020
SavageMaster:
How come Willie Obiano appointed the James Nwafor guy as his SSA on Security all this while without doing a background check on him?
Politicians use such people for dirty job....Aside that, awkuzu sars are being accused of supplying human parts to politicians and ritualists.

Most people sent there, never came back alive.


The commander is one amongst thousands of his type, currently in the police force....Some humans are extremely evil.

1 Like

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by rinzaugustine: 10:06pm On Oct 16, 2020
Abagworo:
Peter Obi worked with this Nwafor in unleashing mayhem on Igbo citizens especially Biafran organizations. Even this demolition of Upper Class Hotel was carried out under Peter Obi's supervision alondside Nwafor so why did the post carefully dodge this open truth

https://www.nairaland.com/1954739/peter-obi-upper-class-hotel
I think peter obi had settled him for his hotel he demolished.He omitted his name from the article
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by idahme(m): 10:07pm On Oct 16, 2020
This is genocide..... Speechless

1 Like

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by nedekid: 10:11pm On Oct 16, 2020
SavageMaster:
How come Willie Obiano appointed the James Nwafor guy as his SSA on Security all this while without doing a background check on him?
Of course he knew. Guess hiring him as an enforcer/political thug made sense.
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by CodeTemplar: 10:12pm On Oct 16, 2020
Mgbadike80:

Mr Illoanya can be reached on
08035501598.
Listen to him Below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=DJgAwIdf90M
Awkuzu is a town in Oyi Local
Government Area of Anambra state of
Nigeria.
https://
www.news9naija.com.ng/2020/07/0
8/i-killed-your-son-and-nothing-
will-happen-awkuzu-sars-oc-to-
man-after-killing-son-video/
The Sister to the slain young man
also gave account of the incident on
Twitter.
https://twitter.com/Ada_mummyya/
status/1140000709649358848?s=19


https://www.nairaland.com/5979152/james-nwafor-killed-son-nothing
After reading, I am having serious reservations about state police and community police. All the key names mentioned here sound like Anambra names and I wonder what will happen if there is no federal authorities to report these happenings to.

4 Likes

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by Ten06(m): 10:18pm On Oct 16, 2020
People can still continue to try to salvage this country, but as for me I have lost hope on this country

2 Likes

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by BENEAMATA: 10:21pm On Oct 16, 2020
That jimoh moshood guy sha . Make we report a mad dog to it's rabbid demented mother ba .
Willie obiano i must say cannot tell me he had no background knowledge of the devil's lap dog he appointed as SA on security . I mean AKWUZU SARS . KILLINGS . BODY PARTS . POLITICIANS . BLOOD RITUALS . . . . . connect the dots . Black man , remember the last day .What a way to go .
We pray all the souls gruesomely murdered before their time find rest

2 Likes

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by ensamy(m): 10:22pm On Oct 16, 2020
Donniest22:


He is
Search for chika Nwoba chika on facebook and read his latest post.
Yes, I just read it from Facebook by Nwoba chika Nwoba. Damnnnn nigerrrrr shocked shocked shocked I was wondering how such an evil man and murderer be CSO to Governor Obiano, I couldn't make out the connections , everything is now clear after reading that post. This guy was Obiano's hit man. Jesusssssssss Christ shocked shocked shocked shocked shocked shocked shocked shocked
No wonder they will brag if they kill someone , nothing will happen. Yes yes I can see ...

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by mariahAngel(f): 10:23pm On Oct 16, 2020
Mgbadike80:
#EndSARS: "We Drank Our Urine To
Quench Thirst In SARS Cell"--SARS
Victim

#EndSARS: "We drank our urine to
quench thirst in SARS cell"---SARS
Victim Recounts.
As the ‘EndSARS’ campaign
continues to sweep across the
nation, a 23-year-old man has
recounted his horrifying encounter
with operatives of the Special Anti-
Robbery Squad (SARS), Awkuzu, in
Anambra State.
It was learnt that some SARS
operatives had been threatening the
young man and because of this, his
real name is concealed.
It is, however, important to note that
Amnesty International is solidly
behind this young man in his quest
for justice. For the purpose of this
write up, he would be called
"Chijindu".
Chijindu was arrested on February
13, 2017, in Anambra State, after he
was accused of stealing a laptop.
He was moved to Awkuzu SARS
around 6:30pm that fateful day. He
recalled that immediately he was
dragged to SARS office, he was
frisked and his money, N15,400,
which was in his pocket, was
confiscated. The policemen also
allegedly collected his wristwatch,
necklace and phone.
He further recounted: “When the
Admin officer saw me, he directed
his men to go and hang me. They
took me to the back of a hall and tied
me with ropes. They tied my hands
behind; tied my two legs and then
joined the ropes in the hands and
that of the legs by the back causing
my chest to protrude.
They had two already prepared iron
stands where they used to hang
people. They crossed an iron rod
through the ropes and then lifted me
up by the rod and hung me on the
iron stand. They started using all
manner of items to beat me,
including machete and sticks. They
inflicted injuries on me.
“One of the officers, Simeon, used an
exhaust pipe to hit my teeth,
breaking them. I was left hanging for
more than three hours. I shouted
until I started vomiting blood.
Another officer, Agaba, told them to
bring me down; that he didn’t want
to hear my cries again. When the
officer left, my torturers forced a
handkerchief into my mouth and tied
it with a rope. I was in that state for
more than two hours and then I
became semi-conscious.”
According to Chijindu, when Simeon
came to check and noticed he had
almost lost consciousness, he called
their team leader, Aghaogu, who was
also the second in command (2ic) of
the team. Aghaogu ordered that
Chijindu be brought down.
Chijindu said: “They dumped me
inside the interrogation hall. Simeon
brought my phone, and asked me if I
was the owner. I told him I bought it
with my money. He took out my two
SIM cards and destroyed them with
his teeth. He then dropped the phone
into his drawer. He told me that it
was exhibit.
“Aghaogu instructed them to take me
to cell five, which is the worst cell in
Awkuzu SARS. Those in cell five
hardly eat or drink water. The next
morning, they brought me out of the
cell and took me to Onitsha. They
forced me to go and show them
where I sold phones and laptops. In
Onitsha, at Emeka Offor Plaza, they
arrested four persons, alleging that
the four guys bought things from me.
“But the truth was that I had never
met any of those men in my life.
They also took me to my aunt’s
house in Onitsha and arrested her
son. When we returned from Onitsha,
they returned me to the place where
they had hung me the previous day.
They threatened to hang me again
since I didn’t want to confess.
Another officer, Peter Emiator, took a
2×2 wood and started hitting me on
my two legs. He said that he would
cripple me since I seemed to be
stubborn.
He gave me several injuries.The
scars are still on my body.”
He said that at a point, Aghaogu took
Simeon to one corner and had a
discussion with him. After the
discussion, Simeon returned and
without blinking, pulled out his gun
and fired Chijindu’s right leg. Another
officer, who witnessed the cold
blooded shooting, reprimanded
Simeon.
“My leg started bleeding. Simeon
told him that he shouldn’t worry, that
they would treat me. Then they took
the singlet of one of their victims and
tied the bullet injury and returned me
to cell five. The owner of the singlet
was terribly tortured and shot in the
leg and dumped in the cell without
any treatment. He died the following
morning as a result of the torture,”
Chinjindu recalled.
The following day, the person that
allegedly complained that Chijindu
stole his laptop, paid a visit to SARS.
The suspect was brought and right in
his presence, the policemen started
quizzing Chijindu about the laptop.
Chijindu said: “I told them that I
didn’t know anything about the
laptop. The complainant left and I
was returned to the cell. That was
the last time I heard from the
complainant. He didn’t visit again. I
was kept in the cell from February
13, 2017 to March 17. We were not
given food except some Reverend
Sisters or family members of
detainees bring food. The Reverend
Sister usually bring food on
Thursdays and Saturdays.
On March 17, there was a rumour
that the Human Rights people were
coming on emergency inspection of
Awkuzu SARS. The policemen
brought us out; we were 10 in
number. They put us in bus and
moved us to another of their cell in
Neni.”
The Commander at Neni told Chijindu
and other suspects to remove their
boxers, which was the only garment
they had on. The suspects were left
naked. The commander instructed his
men to take the suspects to cell one.
This cell is nicknamed, ‘condemned
cell.’
Chijindu narrated: “We passed two
passages and then went to a third
passage, leading to the cell. After a
while, the commander came to
address us. He promised to speak
with the OC at Awkuzu, to permit
them at Neni to give us water to
drink.
“We waited for two days without any
food or water. Then some of us
started shouting from the cell, calling
on them to give us water. Some of us
started urinating and drinking the
urine. One of the officers at Neni,
nicknamed ‘Too-much-money,’
admonished us to save our strength.
He said that we still had a long way
to go. Because of this admonition,
we shouted the more. We screamed
that it was better for them to shoot
and kill us, than to starve us to
death.
They replied that they preferred to
watch us die one after the other.”
When the suspects continued to cry
weakly for water, the exasperated
policemen allegedly teargas them
into silence. The suspects started
crying; they prayed for death, but
death refused to come. They were
brought out from their cell, and
teargassed again, but this time with
another kind of teargas; this one was
wrapped. The policemen then locked
the suspects inside, with many
almost choking to death.
Chijindu said: “It was terrible. All of
my fellow inmates collapsed. Some
were foaming from the mouth. I was
the only conscious person, but the
effect of the gas was bending my
neck and twisting my two hands. We
were in that condition for three days.
On the third day, they came to check
whether we were still alive.
"They found that we were still
breathing, although the teargas had
dried almost all the water in our
system, making us weaker. They
washed the cells and applied some
substances after which they returned
all suspects to cells.”
All this while, the suspects were yet
to be given water. Chijindu said that
they continued to beg for water, but
there was no succor.
The Station Officer (SO) asked if any
of the suspect came to the world with
any cloth, they responded no. He
then asked them if they would go
with any cloth when they died, they
also responded no. He then left them
without saying another word.
Chijindu noted: “It was then we
realized that it was a death
sentence.”
He continued: “After that week, one
of us, Ifeanyi, was bailed, leaving
nine of us behind. Before the end of
that second week, four, among us
died; Okechukwu, Uchenna,
Uchechukwu and Chinedu. Their
corpses were left with us in the cell
until the policemen were ready to
evacuate them.”
Chijindu further revealed that on the
third week, three persons died;
Ngirima, Victor Azubuike and Ojoto.
Two among the corpses were moved
after a full day in the cell with the
suspects, while Ojoto’s corpse was
left in the cell with the suspects for
three days before it was evacuated.
Chijindu said that the corpse Ojoto
was already decomposing before it
was removed.
“When the policemen were taking
Ojoto’s remains away, I heard them
saying, “this one don rotten; no need
to carry go Akwuzu, make we bury
am for here”.
I managed with the little energy left
in me to stretch and peep through
our tiny window. I watched and saw
how they buried Ojoto beside a soak-
away-pit at the back of their office
there in Neni,” said Chijindu.
On Easter Sunday, one of the officers
came to attend to suspects in the
cells. He told the suspects that their
commander would celebrate Easter
for them. Alas, nothing was given to
them.
The following day, which was Easter
Monday, while Chidinju was praying,
he heard Tochukwu give up his last
breath . The suspects alerted the
policemen and Tochukwu’s corpse
was moved.
But before Tochukwu died, two new
suspects had joined them in the cell.
They are Ifeanyi Mba and Ekene
Nwoke. They were both transferred
from Akwuzu. When Tochukwu died,
Ifeanyi and Ekene started crying.
A week after the death of Tochukwu,
there were moves to bail one of the
new suspects, Chinjidu secretly
handed him a piece of paper. The
paper contained non-inked written
information on how to locate his
sister and the direction to his home
in Nnewi which he had managed to
scribble with a piece of broken
broom stick.
The young man fulfilled his promise;
he located the home and family of
Chijindu. He disclosed to them, the
horror the young men were passing
through in SARS detention facilities.
Chijindu family contacted some
Human Right activists. It was
discovered that Chijindu family
members didn’t know he was in
detention. They had been looking for
him, almost about to declare him
missing. Chijindu family and the
activists started making frantic
efforts to get him out.
They were further worried after
hearing that he had a gunshot wound
on his leg, which was festering.
Chijindu said: “The Human Rights
people went to Awkuzu and asked
after me, the OC SARS called the
Station Officer in Neni, who was
behind our cell taking his call. The
OC reprimanded the commander for
allowing us to survive. I overheard
their conversation because the SO's
phone was on speaker. The OC
accused them of giving us food, an
accusation which the SO denied.
Then the SO and his men brought all
of us out and started flogging us.
They were mad at me. They searched
everywhere, looking for writing
materials or phone, with which I
communicated to the outside world.
They couldn’t find anything. They
threatened to bring me out and
“finish” me. On April 24, 2017,
around 9:30pm, some policemen
came to Neni and took me to
Awkuzu.
“The following day, which was a
Tuesday, policemen brought me out
to the see the OC SARS. The OC
asked me if I was Chijindu, I said
yes. He openly expressed shock that
I survived Neni.
The OC then asked me whether I had
eaten anything, I said no. He asked
me what I wanted to eat, I told him
that I wanted liquid as I found it very
difficult to swallow. He asked them
to go and get me tea with bread.
The following day they took me to
Magistrate’s Court at Nteje.”
When Chijindu was arraigned, it was
discovered that there was no
complainant, no witness. He also
didn’t have legal representation. The
police charged him for armed
robbery. The Magistrate referred the
case to High court.
The New Telegraph Newspaper, had
earlier chronicled an award winning
piece on the killings of suspects and
other atrocities committed by SARS
men across Nigeria. The chronicle
was recognized and applauded by
the Wole Soyinka Centre of
Investigative Journalism.
The atrocities in SARS had spanned
many Inspectors-Generals of Police,
but it is on record, that former IGP,
Solomon Arase rose against such
horrendous activities. It was also
during his administration that some
SARS men were dismissed for killing
detainees and other shocking acts.
Immediately Arase left office, the
Force went back to its old ways of
flagrant impunity.
An Amnesty International Nigeria
spokesperson, Mr Damian Ugwu,
reacting to those support SARS
activities, said: “It was disheartening
to see pictures of young man and
women in Port Harcourt and Abuja,
carrying banners in support of SARS.
I often wonder how far some
Nigerians are willing to go to survive.
Most worrisome is that some people
who claimed to represent Anambra
State were also part of the charade.
For the record Anambra State is the
home of SARS Awkuzu.”
According to Amnesty International,
detainees were subjected to “horrific
torture methods, including hanging,
starvation, beatings, shootings and
mock executions, at the hands of
corrupt SARS officers.
Ugwu, said: “A police unit created to
protect the people has instead
become a danger to society, torturing
its victims with complete impunity
while fomenting a toxic climate of
fear and corruption. Our research has
uncovered a pattern of ruthless
human rights violations where
victims are arrested and tortured until
they either make a ‘confession’ or
pay officers a bribe to be released.
Most of the time, huge amounts
ranging from N100,000 to even
N500,000 was paid to secure the
release of some of those detained.
Failure to meet such huge financial
demands meant imminent death
while in detention. The SARS officers
are getting rich through their brutality
because as you can see, it seems
that torture has become a lucrative
business.”
Amnesty International said it found
130 detainees living in overcrowded
cells at a SARS detention in Abuja
known as the ‘Abattoir’.
Investigation has showed that people
detained by SARS, are often not
allowed access to a lawyer, a doctor
or family members while in
incarceration. Yet in various cases
where victims of police torture or
other ill-treatment attempted to seek
justice, the authorities took no
action.
“It is time for the authorities to
ensure that officers responsible for
such human rights violations are
finally held accountable. There is
also an urgent need for robust
legislation that ensures all acts of
torture are offences under Nigeria’s
criminal law,” said Ugwu.
The Police Public Relation Officer
(FPRO), Jimoh Moshood, has
dismissed allegations of torture and
crimes leveled against SARS. SARS
was established by the Nigeria police
to tackle armed robberies. On
December 2, Nigerians took to the
social media to condemn impunity
among SARS operatives. One of
those who shared their experiences
is Chijindu.
Moshood told Nigerians to be wary of
their use of social media saying the
#EndSARS was started by someone
with an ulterior motive. He said the
social media was porous and users
should be cautious.
His words: “Somebody who has an
ulterior motive put up the hashtag
and said #EndSARS now. Nigerians
should be mindful because the social
media is very porous. What is the
cause of the outcry in the first place?
This was why the IGP was concerned
about the cause of the outcry. People
should be mindful of the intention of
the person that put up the hashtag
that people are falling into it.”
According to him, SARS has been in
operation for over 40 years and
those calling for a scrap of the squad
should disabuse their minds as they
are performing their duties well.
Speaking concerning complaints and
allegations by some social media
users of being brutalized by SARS,
Moshood said Nigerians should
report complains about the
operations of SARS.
He said: “We’re not saying there is
no infraction. If there are infraction
not only in SARS personnel, even
other conventional policemen that
carry out other responsibility, people
should report to us and it will be
addressed. When you have
complaints, report to us and it will be
addressed.
There has not been any specific
violation of human rights leveled
against any SARS personnel. So
anybody that is spreading such a
rumor is not doing the nation any
good. SARS has no excesses and
when there is any, we do investigate.
The call for SARS to be scrapped
should be condemned by all well-
meaning Nigerians.” the Police
spokesman said.
SOURCE: https://web.facebook.com/
AnambraOnline/
posts/1493588180719445

https://www.nairaland.com/4239124/endsars-drank-urine-quench-thirst#63375277

This is just too horrific!
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by higgs: 10:29pm On Oct 16, 2020
Evil has taken over. A mass murderer rewarded with government appointment.
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by Ifyike: 10:32pm On Oct 16, 2020
Oooh God of mercy! I never believed people go through all these right in my state, what kind of heart does these SARS guys have? Of course not human heart. They must have sold their heart including their souls to the devil cos no human being with feelings can subject his fellow human to such inhuman treatment and still watch the person dies. Tufiakwa! Is unimaginable, God of vengeance pls swing into action asap cos " Ike agula m kpakpam" am completely tired.

3 Likes

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by Monchadam: 10:33pm On Oct 16, 2020
SenecaTheYonger:



https://www.nairaland.com/5979152/james-nwafor-killed-son-nothing


https://www.nairaland.com/4239124/endsars-drank-urine-quench-thirst#63375277


All I could find. Please don’t read the second one, it’s bone chilling. I belive their stories because all seem to go through the same process of something called “hanging”.


I read the second story bro,
And I'm in tears

1 Like

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by okonyia(m): 10:35pm On Oct 16, 2020
Very interesting!. I hope the governor do something as fast as possible
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by BENEAMATA: 10:36pm On Oct 16, 2020
braveboi4life:
I have said it that politicians should steer clear of this agitation, they are notorious and are part of what is going on in SARS either directly or indirectly, Obiano cannot tell me that he doesnt know about the activities of Nwafor and how notorious, devilish and wicked he has been. Imagine someone that has been a governor for about 6years doesnt know about the devilish Awkuzu SARS, Its obvious he was brought into his government to do some dirty and stainless jobs. It never occured to him that a day like this would come. What he just did by dismissing him from his govt was to save his face. I can bet every one with my left balls that the prosecution of Mr Nwafor will never see the light of the day. Top on the list that would use all means to frustrate his prosecution is the governor.


We the youths will fight our way true. cry embarassed
# A BIG SHAME ON WILLI WILLI OBIANO
baba , i tire for that governor oh . And what did past number one citizens of the state do about this ritual den called Awkuzu sars ? God dey .
#Awkuzusarspaybacktime.
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by gariepinus: 10:36pm On Oct 16, 2020
Atrocities of Awkuzu SARS under James Nwafor

#EndSARS: ‘Theatre of Pain: My story at Awkuzu SARS’
by AnaedoOnline October 14, 2020
Dr Nwankwo Justin
Dr Nwankwo Justin



I arrived at Awkuzu SARS on the 1st day of August 2013. With a weakened body…I have kept my mind alert refusing to faint or collapse in the van. Yet upon arrival, I could read the bold inscriptions on the wall of that Nazi camp which reads…” Well, come to hellfire” I quickly told myself that we are in for the worst. I have heard the tales of this bay and camp from Aschelon and Zeba. I always thought and believed that it was the land of mongrels and that it was reserved for them until j arrives! No…I was mistaken! Marshalled straight by the almighty O.C SARS to an open rickety hall…all other victims were separated, each to his or her fate.

Standing by one end was a police officer with two suspects who were chained together and the tempo of the interrogation was getting higher. Momentarily forgetting my ordeal…I kept a gaze on all corners of the hall abandoned with an ominous look of a 2nd world war torture camp. Ropes were streaming down from ceiling tops, bags of sand were elevated on perimeter wall fence of the hall and all types of rod and metal varying in shape, length and size were staring at you while you hear shouts of people from the back of the hall screaming the name of their late great grandmothers to come and intercede on their behalf. Buckets of water are standby in case one faints or opts to die before appending a signature to already written statements. I was still taking the mein of the entire facility when I was jolted back to reality by the sound of a rapid military rifle…tem tem tem!!!!!. You no wan talk…you wan follow am go, you wan travel!!! were the words resonating from the other end of the hall. I tried looking but slaps from my I.P.O…Investigating Police Officer reminded me that I was not in this camp for Excursion or Tourism. That guy don travel oooo …so make you tell me the truth otherwise I go travel you were the words from the officer.

Meanwhile, the O.C torture, the 2aice (2nd in command) and about 4 other police officers started asking me questions ranging from personal to family to academic background questions…when I got to the level that I was a PhD student, the questions ceased and the O.C shouted …Mr. Tell us what happened or in his Abakaliki ascent…gbajisie gu ukpa la abo (shoot your two legs). I started my story of what happened but that was not what they wanted to hear.

The questions were already made and I must be categorical in my answers…Your director kills people…No Sir! And the torture started properly… Ropes tied by my two hands…by the two legs, then both leg and hand bended and tied together with a rod passing through in between them and then elevated to a perimeter wall. In fact, if you have watched a goat prepared for a barbecue of suya night then you are close to the picture. At the turn of each question and non-compliance, a bag of sand is added at my back to add extra pain. Cries upon wails until you pass out. Ooh, you want to die…common Justin death is far removed! A cold bucket of water quickly spoils your trance and brings you back to reality.
From minutes to hours, the torture lasted but never stopped until finally, you start saying that you killed Babangida so that you can be brought down meanwhile Babangida is alive. From hanging on the beam, tying of rope in a strangulation mode around the neck, Inserting of pin and rope inside the penis to circularly shooting of bullets around increasing the tempo of the questions at each turn, one is immersed into a theatre of pain and your pre-written statements a product of individual pain threshold. In the midst of my torture, I opted to set forth at dawn…dragging myself to crossover the thresholds of deaths but they were Anthills in the Savannah.

The gods were wise! Around 8 pm that night, I was unconsciously taken into Cell 5. I came to know the real essence of that cell days later.

Cursed with five cells at that Bay…some are better than the others. Cell 5 is the worst because it is tagged “Condemned cell”. If you happen to be there, then you are not in Awkuzu SARS because that cell for them does not exist. High profile criminals caught with military rifles are kept there awaiting execution and because our case had all the above element…I smelled the cell for 6hrs and was transferred out in the morning of next day while the director remained there till the 5th of August. From cell 5 I moved to Cell1 and to cell 4 where I rotted away without taking bath or brush, defecting in nylon polythene and not seeing the light of day except on occasional visit.

A total black cell filled with the stench of rugged criminals caught with locally made rifles. In my days at Guantanamo Bay…I rekindled my pastoral skills and led the two twin cell of 3 &4 in morning, afternoon and night devotions. Sleeping was with one eye open because gunshots fill the air at all times and people are summarily judged through the barrel of a gun. Answering your name at odd hours is risky and mention of your name reminds of the ambulance job we do each day for fallen comrades.

A room of not more than 2 Square sizes packed up by 29 to 31 suspect…heat kills, hunger kills, mental switch on and off kills and police bullets does the rest. Who will be the next to the fire? At the camp, talks of going to court are freedom itself and remanding one in prison custody was answering of prayer s from God. Every day we waited for our turn…singing to the Almighty… Abraham Blessing is mine! He delivered Paul and Silas!!!!!To the government of my country…if the activities of Awkuzu SARS is legitimatized and now acceptable, then let’s close down the prisons and save the expenditure on warders and prison welfare for better ventures. ’

– An unedited narrative by Dr Justin Nwankwo, then a PhD student/Researcher at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He was arrested and detained for 81 days and tortured at SARS Awkuzu

Source: https://www.anaedoonline.ng/2020/10/14/endsars-theatre-of-pain-my-story-at-awkuzu-sars/

Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by BENEAMATA: 10:44pm On Oct 16, 2020
higgs:
Evil has taken over. A mass murderer rewarded with government appointment.

Hard to believe bro . And the one that masterminded the killing of six innocent nigerians in Abuja has been reabsorbed into the nigerian police force with all salaries accrued during his " trial " paid in full a couple of years ago .
I pity anyone who'll bear offsprings with a nigerian police personnel . Sins of the fathers .
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by idahme(m): 10:45pm On Oct 16, 2020
tutudesz:
Abeg this story can't be real cry Seriously I put the blame on the commissioner of police, AIG and IG who sit down in their offices doing nothing. You are suppose to go round all stations and know what your men are doing.
Just imagine some killing innocent people freely, because he is on uniform. governors should start appointing special advisers of police station searching.


The stories are like horror movies, so scarry and babaric... The perpetuators of these genocides should be arrested qnd brought to book.
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by SincerePet: 10:47pm On Oct 16, 2020
Mgbadike80:
#EndSARS: "We Drank Our Urine To
Quench Thirst In SARS Cell"--SARS
Victim

#EndSARS: "We drank our urine to
quench thirst in SARS cell"---SARS
Victim Recounts.
As the ‘EndSARS’ campaign
continues to sweep across the
nation, a 23-year-old man has
recounted his horrifying encounter
with operatives of the Special Anti-
Robbery Squad (SARS), Awkuzu, in
Anambra State.
It was learnt that some SARS
operatives had been threatening the
young man and because of this, his
real name is concealed.
It is, however, important to note that
Amnesty International is solidly
behind this young man in his quest
for justice. For the purpose of this
write up, he would be called
"Chijindu".
Chijindu was arrested on February
13, 2017, in Anambra State, after he
was accused of stealing a laptop.
He was moved to Awkuzu SARS
around 6:30pm that fateful day. He
recalled that immediately he was
dragged to SARS office, he was
frisked and his money, N15,400,
which was in his pocket, was
confiscated. The policemen also
allegedly collected his wristwatch,
necklace and phone.
He further recounted: “When the
Admin officer saw me, he directed
his men to go and hang me. They
took me to the back of a hall and tied
me with ropes. They tied my hands
behind; tied my two legs and then
joined the ropes in the hands and
that of the legs by the back causing
my chest to protrude.
They had two already prepared iron
stands where they used to hang
people. They crossed an iron rod
through the ropes and then lifted me
up by the rod and hung me on the
iron stand. They started using all
manner of items to beat me,
including machete and sticks. They
inflicted injuries on me.
“One of the officers, Simeon, used an
exhaust pipe to hit my teeth,
breaking them. I was left hanging for
more than three hours. I shouted
until I started vomiting blood.
Another officer, Agaba, told them to
bring me down; that he didn’t want
to hear my cries again. When the
officer left, my torturers forced a
handkerchief into my mouth and tied
it with a rope. I was in that state for
more than two hours and then I
became semi-conscious.”
According to Chijindu, when Simeon
came to check and noticed he had
almost lost consciousness, he called
their team leader, Aghaogu, who was
also the second in command (2ic) of
the team. Aghaogu ordered that
Chijindu be brought down.
Chijindu said: “They dumped me
inside the interrogation hall. Simeon
brought my phone, and asked me if I
was the owner. I told him I bought it
with my money. He took out my two
SIM cards and destroyed them with
his teeth. He then dropped the phone
into his drawer. He told me that it
was exhibit.
“Aghaogu instructed them to take me
to cell five, which is the worst cell in
Awkuzu SARS. Those in cell five
hardly eat or drink water. The next
morning, they brought me out of the
cell and took me to Onitsha. They
forced me to go and show them
where I sold phones and laptops. In
Onitsha, at Emeka Offor Plaza, they
arrested four persons, alleging that
the four guys bought things from me.
“But the truth was that I had never
met any of those men in my life.
They also took me to my aunt’s
house in Onitsha and arrested her
son. When we returned from Onitsha,
they returned me to the place where
they had hung me the previous day.
They threatened to hang me again
since I didn’t want to confess.
Another officer, Peter Emiator, took a
2×2 wood and started hitting me on
my two legs. He said that he would
cripple me since I seemed to be
stubborn.
He gave me several injuries.The
scars are still on my body.”
He said that at a point, Aghaogu took
Simeon to one corner and had a
discussion with him. After the
discussion, Simeon returned and
without blinking, pulled out his gun
and fired Chijindu’s right leg. Another
officer, who witnessed the cold
blooded shooting, reprimanded
Simeon.
“My leg started bleeding. Simeon
told him that he shouldn’t worry, that
they would treat me. Then they took
the singlet of one of their victims and
tied the bullet injury and returned me
to cell five. The owner of the singlet
was terribly tortured and shot in the
leg and dumped in the cell without
any treatment. He died the following
morning as a result of the torture,”
Chinjindu recalled.
The following day, the person that
allegedly complained that Chijindu
stole his laptop, paid a visit to SARS.
The suspect was brought and right in
his presence, the policemen started
quizzing Chijindu about the laptop.
Chijindu said: “I told them that I
didn’t know anything about the
laptop. The complainant left and I
was returned to the cell. That was
the last time I heard from the
complainant. He didn’t visit again. I
was kept in the cell from February
13, 2017 to March 17. We were not
given food except some Reverend
Sisters or family members of
detainees bring food. The Reverend
Sister usually bring food on
Thursdays and Saturdays.
On March 17, there was a rumour
that the Human Rights people were
coming on emergency inspection of
Awkuzu SARS. The policemen
brought us out; we were 10 in
number. They put us in bus and
moved us to another of their cell in
Neni.”
The Commander at Neni told Chijindu
and other suspects to remove their
boxers, which was the only garment
they had on. The suspects were left
naked. The commander instructed his
men to take the suspects to cell one.
This cell is nicknamed, ‘condemned
cell.’
Chijindu narrated: “We passed two
passages and then went to a third
passage, leading to the cell. After a
while, the commander came to
address us. He promised to speak
with the OC at Awkuzu, to permit
them at Neni to give us water to
drink.
“We waited for two days without any
food or water. Then some of us
started shouting from the cell, calling
on them to give us water. Some of us
started urinating and drinking the
urine. One of the officers at Neni,
nicknamed ‘Too-much-money,’
admonished us to save our strength.
He said that we still had a long way
to go. Because of this admonition,
we shouted the more. We screamed
that it was better for them to shoot
and kill us, than to starve us to
death.
They replied that they preferred to
watch us die one after the other.”
When the suspects continued to cry
weakly for water, the exasperated
policemen allegedly teargas them
into silence. The suspects started
crying; they prayed for death, but
death refused to come. They were
brought out from their cell, and
teargassed again, but this time with
another kind of teargas; this one was
wrapped. The policemen then locked
the suspects inside, with many
almost choking to death.
Chijindu said: “It was terrible. All of
my fellow inmates collapsed. Some
were foaming from the mouth. I was
the only conscious person, but the
effect of the gas was bending my
neck and twisting my two hands. We
were in that condition for three days.
On the third day, they came to check
whether we were still alive.
"They found that we were still
breathing, although the teargas had
dried almost all the water in our
system, making us weaker. They
washed the cells and applied some
substances after which they returned
all suspects to cells.”
All this while, the suspects were yet
to be given water. Chijindu said that
they continued to beg for water, but
there was no succor.
The Station Officer (SO) asked if any
of the suspect came to the world with
any cloth, they responded no. He
then asked them if they would go
with any cloth when they died, they
also responded no. He then left them
without saying another word.
Chijindu noted: “It was then we
realized that it was a death
sentence.”
He continued: “After that week, one
of us, Ifeanyi, was bailed, leaving
nine of us behind. Before the end of
that second week, four, among us
died; Okechukwu, Uchenna,
Uchechukwu and Chinedu. Their
corpses were left with us in the cell
until the policemen were ready to
evacuate them.”
Chijindu further revealed that on the
third week, three persons died;
Ngirima, Victor Azubuike and Ojoto.
Two among the corpses were moved
after a full day in the cell with the
suspects, while Ojoto’s corpse was
left in the cell with the suspects for
three days before it was evacuated.
Chijindu said that the corpse Ojoto
was already decomposing before it
was removed.
“When the policemen were taking
Ojoto’s remains away, I heard them
saying, “this one don rotten; no need
to carry go Akwuzu, make we bury
am for here”.
I managed with the little energy left
in me to stretch and peep through
our tiny window. I watched and saw
how they buried Ojoto beside a soak-
away-pit at the back of their office
there in Neni,” said Chijindu.
On Easter Sunday, one of the officers
came to attend to suspects in the
cells. He told the suspects that their
commander would celebrate Easter
for them. Alas, nothing was given to
them.
The following day, which was Easter
Monday, while Chidinju was praying,
he heard Tochukwu give up his last
breath . The suspects alerted the
policemen and Tochukwu’s corpse
was moved.
But before Tochukwu died, two new
suspects had joined them in the cell.
They are Ifeanyi Mba and Ekene
Nwoke. They were both transferred
from Akwuzu. When Tochukwu died,
Ifeanyi and Ekene started crying.
A week after the death of Tochukwu,
there were moves to bail one of the
new suspects, Chinjidu secretly
handed him a piece of paper. The
paper contained non-inked written
information on how to locate his
sister and the direction to his home
in Nnewi which he had managed to
scribble with a piece of broken
broom stick.
The young man fulfilled his promise;
he located the home and family of
Chijindu. He disclosed to them, the
horror the young men were passing
through in SARS detention facilities.
Chijindu family contacted some
Human Right activists. It was
discovered that Chijindu family
members didn’t know he was in
detention. They had been looking for
him, almost about to declare him
missing. Chijindu family and the
activists started making frantic
efforts to get him out.
They were further worried after
hearing that he had a gunshot wound
on his leg, which was festering.
Chijindu said: “The Human Rights
people went to Awkuzu and asked
after me, the OC SARS called the
Station Officer in Neni, who was
behind our cell taking his call. The
OC reprimanded the commander for
allowing us to survive. I overheard
their conversation because the SO's
phone was on speaker. The OC
accused them of giving us food, an
accusation which the SO denied.
Then the SO and his men brought all
of us out and started flogging us.
They were mad at me. They searched
everywhere, looking for writing
materials or phone, with which I
communicated to the outside world.
They couldn’t find anything. They
threatened to bring me out and
“finish” me. On April 24, 2017,
around 9:30pm, some policemen
came to Neni and took me to
Awkuzu.
“The following day, which was a
Tuesday, policemen brought me out
to the see the OC SARS. The OC
asked me if I was Chijindu, I said
yes. He openly expressed shock that
I survived Neni.
The OC then asked me whether I had
eaten anything, I said no. He asked
me what I wanted to eat, I told him
that I wanted liquid as I found it very
difficult to swallow. He asked them
to go and get me tea with bread.
The following day they took me to
Magistrate’s Court at Nteje.”
When Chijindu was arraigned, it was
discovered that there was no
complainant, no witness. He also
didn’t have legal representation. The
police charged him for armed
robbery. The Magistrate referred the
case to High court.
The New Telegraph Newspaper, had
earlier chronicled an award winning
piece on the killings of suspects and
other atrocities committed by SARS
men across Nigeria. The chronicle
was recognized and applauded by
the Wole Soyinka Centre of
Investigative Journalism.
The atrocities in SARS had spanned
many Inspectors-Generals of Police,
but it is on record, that former IGP,
Solomon Arase rose against such
horrendous activities. It was also
during his administration that some
SARS men were dismissed for killing
detainees and other shocking acts.
Immediately Arase left office, the
Force went back to its old ways of
flagrant impunity.
An Amnesty International Nigeria
spokesperson, Mr Damian Ugwu,
reacting to those support SARS
activities, said: “It was disheartening
to see pictures of young man and
women in Port Harcourt and Abuja,
carrying banners in support of SARS.
I often wonder how far some
Nigerians are willing to go to survive.
Most worrisome is that some people
who claimed to represent Anambra
State were also part of the charade.
For the record Anambra State is the
home of SARS Awkuzu.”
According to Amnesty International,
detainees were subjected to “horrific
torture methods, including hanging,
starvation, beatings, shootings and
mock executions, at the hands of
corrupt SARS officers.
Ugwu, said: “A police unit created to
protect the people has instead
become a danger to society, torturing
its victims with complete impunity
while fomenting a toxic climate of
fear and corruption. Our research has
uncovered a pattern of ruthless
human rights violations where
victims are arrested and tortured until
they either make a ‘confession’ or
pay officers a bribe to be released.
Most of the time, huge amounts
ranging from N100,000 to even
N500,000 was paid to secure the
release of some of those detained.
Failure to meet such huge financial
demands meant imminent death
while in detention. The SARS officers
are getting rich through their brutality
because as you can see, it seems
that torture has become a lucrative
business.”
Amnesty International said it found
130 detainees living in overcrowded
cells at a SARS detention in Abuja
known as the ‘Abattoir’.
Investigation has showed that people
detained by SARS, are often not
allowed access to a lawyer, a doctor
or family members while in
incarceration. Yet in various cases
where victims of police torture or
other ill-treatment attempted to seek
justice, the authorities took no
action.
“It is time for the authorities to
ensure that officers responsible for
such human rights violations are
finally held accountable. There is
also an urgent need for robust
legislation that ensures all acts of
torture are offences under Nigeria’s
criminal law,” said Ugwu.
The Police Public Relation Officer
(FPRO), Jimoh Moshood, has
dismissed allegations of torture and
crimes leveled against SARS. SARS
was established by the Nigeria police
to tackle armed robberies. On
December 2, Nigerians took to the
social media to condemn impunity
among SARS operatives. One of
those who shared their experiences
is Chijindu.
Moshood told Nigerians to be wary of
their use of social media saying the
#EndSARS was started by someone
with an ulterior motive. He said the
social media was porous and users
should be cautious.
His words: “Somebody who has an
ulterior motive put up the hashtag
and said #EndSARS now. Nigerians
should be mindful because the social
media is very porous. What is the
cause of the outcry in the first place?
This was why the IGP was concerned
about the cause of the outcry. People
should be mindful of the intention of
the person that put up the hashtag
that people are falling into it.”
According to him, SARS has been in
operation for over 40 years and
those calling for a scrap of the squad
should disabuse their minds as they
are performing their duties well.
Speaking concerning complaints and
allegations by some social media
users of being brutalized by SARS,
Moshood said Nigerians should
report complains about the
operations of SARS.
He said: “We’re not saying there is
no infraction. If there are infraction
not only in SARS personnel, even
other conventional policemen that
carry out other responsibility, people
should report to us and it will be
addressed. When you have
complaints, report to us and it will be
addressed.
There has not been any specific
violation of human rights leveled
against any SARS personnel. So
anybody that is spreading such a
rumor is not doing the nation any
good. SARS has no excesses and
when there is any, we do investigate.
The call for SARS to be scrapped
should be condemned by all well-
meaning Nigerians.” the Police
spokesman said.
SOURCE: https://web.facebook.com/
AnambraOnline/
posts/1493588180719445

https://www.nairaland.com/4239124/endsars-drank-urine-quench-thirst#63375277
Different but similar stories from different people.
Cell 5 in Awkuzu Sars,what a hell.
Somebody told me a similar story on his ordeal in same Awkuzu Sars.
Very terrible.
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by gariepinus: 10:48pm On Oct 16, 2020
James Nwafor is a most deadliest evil man who Hail's from Ebonyi state in Ezza land....this man called James Nwafor murdered a lot of youths in Anambra in cold blood... He deal on human parts.. James Nwafor must die shameful death for killing innocent people... The blood of innocent youths murdered in cold blood by this Ebonyi man must back fire....James kills innocent young people and Bragg's about.....Atrocities committed in Anambra state under the custody of this murderer called James Nwafor who happened to be the OC SARS is bleeding... Nwafor James must die.... If not the blood of innocent youths wasted in cold blood by this useless Ezza man will never rest...James is an evil man...pls Anambra youth should work for the prosecution of this devil...

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