Police parade family members for torturing 13-year-old girl with hot water, pepper over alleged theft of ‘5000 Naira’

The Nigerian Police Force has paraded members of a family for torturing a 13-year-old girl with hot water and pepper over an alleged theft.

The Commissioner of Police in Taraba State, David Iloyanomon, disclosed this to journalists at the police headquarters in Jalingo, the state capital.

According to Iloyanomon, the state command received a complaint on July 1, 2024, at the Yorro Division, that Bulus Bitonopa tortured Bridget Samuel, resulting in temporary paralysis of her hands. Additionally, Hon. Cleopas allegedly took the victim to his house in Jalingo to conceal the crime, failed to seek medical help for her, and resisted police intervention.

A visit to the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo revealed that the 13-year-old girl might lose the use of both hands due to the torture.

According to the girl, two of her uncles tied her hands with a black rubber, dipped them into a bowl of hot water, and added pepper and sand to it.

She was falsely accused of stealing ₦5000 from her uncle’s wife’s purse.

She narrates, ” They tied me around 3:00 PM until around 11:00 AM the following day when another uncle of mine stepped in, untied me and took me to a nearby clinic for medical attention.

Meanwhile, at least 38 persons suspected to be kidnappers, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms have been arrested by the police in the state.

A breakdown of the suspects and their involvements according to the police commissioner reveals that 12 out of the 38 suspects have been charged to court, with 26 others under investigation.

He revealed that while acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with local vigilante groups apprehended six kidnapping syndicates On 20th June 2024.

According to him, one AK-47 rifle and 20 rounds of 6.62mm live ammunitions, 3 SMG rifles with 20 rounds of live ammunitions, one mark4 rifle with 10 rounds of live ammunitions, one starlet vehicle, were recovered as exhibits and all suspects made confessional statements of involvement in the commission of the crimes.

” On 4th July 2024, police operatives attached to SID in collaboration with FIDSTS from Abuja arrested one Saidu Sale of Ibi local government area who conspired with his cohorts and kidnapped a lady and collected the sum of 1,500,000 as ransom”

” One AK-47 rifle, three magazines, and three rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered as exhibits.

” In another incident, a joint team of police operatives from the anti-kidnapping squad, in collaboration with local hunters succeeded in arresting one Shehu Garba in connection with the kidnap of Maunde Mohammed of Sunkani, in Ardo kola local government area.

” Exhibits recovered include three AK-47 rifles, 4 magazines, 19 rounds of live ammunition, 23 empty shells of ammunition, 5 solar panels, 3 chains, 11 padlocks, 1 wristwatch, one knife, a bunch of keys, 11 aprons, assorted charms and a black waist bag.

” In the case of armed robbery, the highway patrol team while on a stop and search operations arrested one Abdullahi Yahaya in Wukari with a black colour Toyota Corolla vehicle with registration number AGU 570 TN which was snatched at gunpoint and the driver shot at Anambra state and we have since reported the incident to Anambra state and they are continuing with the investigation ”

” On 22/06/2024, a combined Police Team from Wukari Division and Gbegi Division in Benue State combed the bush around a scene of the crime where one suspect named Aondokatu was arrested and a robbed motorcycle was recovered”

On unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, a patrol team attached to the Sunkani Division arrested the following persons 1. Rudana Obadiah 2. Majo Benjamin 3. Benjamin Isah in possession of one locally made pistol ”

” Acting on actionable intelligence, on 17/06/2024 at about 1435hrs, Police Operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad arrested one Alhaji Abdul Buji Shehu ‘m’ of Sibre Village, Ardo-Kola LGA. The following firearms were recovered from his House (1) an AK47 rifle (2) one locally made revolver gun (3) one pump action and (4) one Single barrel gun. The investigation has been completed and the case charged to court ”

Other cases include cattle rustling, housebreaking and theft, and culpable homicide among several others.

While urging all Taraba residents to be law abiding and not resort to self-help in settling scores, the police boss asked all non-state actors that have volunteered to assist the police in providing security to their communities to do so under the supervision of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Area of Responsibility”

” The command will not tolerate illegal possession and use of firearms under the guise of community security.  May I also thank the Executive Governor of Taraba State Dr. Agbu Kefas, other sister agencies and the Vigilantes/Hunters for their support, synergy and collaborative effort in combating crime within the state ”

” The command under my watch will remain resolute in its pursuit for lasting peace in the state Finally and will continue to remain committed to upholding law and order, we commend the dedication of our officers and men and also urge the public to continue volunteering vital information to aid in the fight against crime ”