The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria
has called for an investigation of Navy Commander Otuh Bassey, who shot
an okada rider, Muhammed Idachaba, in Idah, Kogi State.
has called for an investigation of Navy Commander Otuh Bassey, who shot
an okada rider, Muhammed Idachaba, in Idah, Kogi State.
Idachaba was shot by on Tuesday, 26
July, 2016 after Bassey allegedly frog-matched him and told him to kneel
as punishment for claiming right of way with the naval officer who was
riding an SUV.
July, 2016 after Bassey allegedly frog-matched him and told him to kneel
as punishment for claiming right of way with the naval officer who was
riding an SUV.
In a report by NOPRIN describing “the
inhuman and degrading treatment and shooting of a motorcycle rider,” it
was learnt that the motorcycle rider was riding from Sabon Gari area of
Idah when Navy Commander Bassey, who is said to be the Assistant
Commandant of the Idah Naval Post attempted to shove him off the road
with his Pathfinder SUV.
inhuman and degrading treatment and shooting of a motorcycle rider,” it
was learnt that the motorcycle rider was riding from Sabon Gari area of
Idah when Navy Commander Bassey, who is said to be the Assistant
Commandant of the Idah Naval Post attempted to shove him off the road
with his Pathfinder SUV.
The group said in a statement signed by
its National Commander, Okechukwu Nwanguma, “Because the road was bad,
the motorcycle rider felt that the Naval officer was trying to manoeuvre
through the potholes.
its National Commander, Okechukwu Nwanguma, “Because the road was bad,
the motorcycle rider felt that the Naval officer was trying to manoeuvre
through the potholes.
“A little distance ahead, the okada
rider met the same Naval officer parked by the roadside and as he
passed, the Naval officer entered his vehicle and gave chase. He
double-crossed the okada rider and forced him to a stop.
rider met the same Naval officer parked by the roadside and as he
passed, the Naval officer entered his vehicle and gave chase. He
double-crossed the okada rider and forced him to a stop.
“The Naval officer, who was carrying a
girl in his SUV, came out from his car and ordered the okada rider to
park his bike, and he obeyed. He ordered him to kneel down and he also
obeyed, and he then ordered him to frog-match.”
girl in his SUV, came out from his car and ordered the okada rider to
park his bike, and he obeyed. He ordered him to kneel down and he also
obeyed, and he then ordered him to frog-match.”
NOPRIN said information it gathered
showed that the encounter took a different turn when it became apparent
that the punishment being meted out to the okada rider was for a past
grievance.
showed that the encounter took a different turn when it became apparent
that the punishment being meted out to the okada rider was for a past
grievance.
The Naval officer reportedly asked if
the okada rider remembered what he told him during the last state
assembly re-run election at Ogegele.
the okada rider remembered what he told him during the last state
assembly re-run election at Ogegele.
NOPRIN said the Naval officer told his
victim “that he promised that he was going to waste him any moment, and
that the time has come.
victim “that he promised that he was going to waste him any moment, and
that the time has come.
“At this point, the Naval officer drew
his pistol and started to shoot the boy and that he shot him several
times until the boy fell in a poll of his own blood.
his pistol and started to shoot the boy and that he shot him several
times until the boy fell in a poll of his own blood.
“Believing that the okada rider was
dead, the Naval officer entered his SUV and drove to a motor park where
he dropped off the girl he was carrying in his car and left.”
dead, the Naval officer entered his SUV and drove to a motor park where
he dropped off the girl he was carrying in his car and left.”
Saturday learnt that unknown to the Naval officer, a plain-clothe policeman witnessed the incident nearby.
The policeman would later trail Bassey to the motor park.
As soon as the naval officer dropped off his female passenger, the policeman arrested her and took her to the police station.
“The girl then called the Naval officer
from the police station and informed him about her arrest. He arrived
at the police station and made statement claiming that he did not shoot
the boy on purpose,” NOPRIN said.
from the police station and informed him about her arrest. He arrived
at the police station and made statement claiming that he did not shoot
the boy on purpose,” NOPRIN said.
That the okada rider was taken to
Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja. But the medical centre workers were on
strike. He is scheduled to go for surgery on Monday August 12, 2016.
Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja. But the medical centre workers were on
strike. He is scheduled to go for surgery on Monday August 12, 2016.
NOPRIN said it considers the action of
the Naval officer, a gross abuse of power and disgraceful to the image
and professional integrity of the Nigerian Navy.
the Naval officer, a gross abuse of power and disgraceful to the image
and professional integrity of the Nigerian Navy.
The group has now called on the Chief of
Naval Staff, Ibok Ekwe Ibas, to investigate Bassey for his conduct. It
says the Naval officer has to be dismissed or handed over to the police
for prosecution.
Naval Staff, Ibok Ekwe Ibas, to investigate Bassey for his conduct. It
says the Naval officer has to be dismissed or handed over to the police
for prosecution.
Spokesperson for the Navy, Commodore
Christian Ezekobe, was not available for comment on this case on Friday
as his line remained unreachable as of press time.
Christian Ezekobe, was not available for comment on this case on Friday
as his line remained unreachable as of press time.
Source: Kunle Falayi – Punch Newspapers
