A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, also revealed that two of the identified persons have been arrested.
The statement reads in part: “Following investigations into the dehumanizing treatment of a female citizen as shown in a viral video on Wednesday, 22nd July, 2020, the Nigeria Police Force have identified three (3) police officers and one (1) civilian accomplice who participated in the unprofessional act.
“Two (2) suspects, ASP Tijani Olatunji and Inspr Gboyega Oyeniyi have been arrested for their role in the discreditable conduct and incivility to a member of the public. They are currently being detained at the Lagos State CID detention facility, Panti, Yaba.”
The statement further reads: “Preliminary investigations show that the policemen who are attached Area ‘A’ Command, Lion Building, Lagos, were on legitimate investigation activities to Ibadan, Oyo State where the incident took place.
“Effort is being intensified to arrest the two other accomplices. Meanwhile, appropriate disciplinary procedure will be initiated as soon as investigations are concluded.”
This came just as the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Oyo State branch, on Thursday announced its preparedness to offer free legal service to the 24-year-old University of Ibadan graduate.
Addressing a press conference at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Secretariat, Ibadan, by its Oyo state Chairperson, Barrister Deborah Collins, the Women Lawyers called on the Inspector General of Police and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police to ensure that policemen involved in the torture of Towobola as contained in the viral video, are made the face the wrath of law.
The FIDA Chairperson pointed out that the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in Oyo state “in whose jurisdiction this illegal act was committed,” should not ” only investigate, but ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book so as to serve as deterrent to others.”
“FIDA Oyo’s attention has been drawn to video clips recorded by men and officers of the Nigerian Police Service during the arrest of an alleged armed robbery/kidnapper and his alleged girlfriend Towobola, a youth corp member who passed out recently and an alumnus of the University of Ibadan.
Having watched the said video, we cannot but express our shock, anger, sorrow, pain and condemnation on the dehumanising way the young lady was treated.”, she said
The FIDA Chairperson added , “assuming but not conceding that the man in the clip was an armed robber and or kidnapper as alleged, couldn’t the young lady have been his potential victims? Why would the police officer interrogate her on her private life bothering on immorality and attempted to link same to the alleged crime. Why would the police feel comfortable in breaching her right to dignity of human person? Why was she given such negative publicity? Just like every concerned citizens, we are searching for answers to why such treatment were melted out to the young lady.
The Women Lawyers stated, “we call on the Inspector General of Police and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police in whose jurisdiction this illegal act was committed, not to only investigate, but ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book so as to serve as deterrence to others”.
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Mrs. Collins maintained that FIDA’s resolve to offer free legal services to Towobola was to ensure that she get justice from the alleged assault she suffered from the police operatives in the viral video.
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