Police Lead Family Members In Parade After Hot-Water and Pepper Torture of Girl

A family has been paraded by the Nigerian Police Force for allegedly robbing a 13-year-old girl of her property by beating her with hot water and pepper.

At the police headquarters in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba state, this was revealed to journalists by the state’s commissioner of police, David Iloyanomon.

He claimed that on July 1, 2024, at Yorro Division, the state command received a complaint alleging that Bridget Samuel had been tortured by Bulus Bitonopa, causing her hands to become paralyzed. In an attempt to hide the crime, Hon. Cleopas took Bridget Samuel to his Jalingo home, but he neglected to take her to the hospital and she resisted police intervention.

Following the act of torture, the 13-year-old girl may not be able to use both of her hands, according to information obtained during a visit to the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo.

She claimed that two of her uncles bound her two hands together with a black rubber band, submerged them in a basin of hot water, and then mixed in sand and pepper.

She is unjustly accused of robbing the uncle’s wife’s purse of ₦5,000.

According to her account, “They tied me about 3:00 PM until about 11:00 AM the next day, when another uncle of mine intervened, freed me from the ties, and brought me to a nearby clinic for medical care.”

At least 38 people have been detained by the state’s police on suspicion of kidnapping, armed robbery, and unlawful gun possession.

Twelve of the 38 suspects have been charged in court, and 26 more are being investigated, according to a breakdown of the suspects and their involvements provided by the police commissioner.

He disclosed that on June 20, 2024, six abduction syndicates were captured while working with local vigilante organizations and responding to reliable intelligence.

He said that three SMG rifles with twenty rounds of live ammunition, one Mark 4 rifle with ten rounds of live ammunition, one AK-47 rifle with twenty rounds of live ammunition, and one starlet vehicle were found as exhibits, and all of the suspects had confessed to being involved in the crimes.

“One Saidu Sale of Ibi local government area was arrested on July 4, 2024, by police operatives attached to SID working with FIDSTS from Abuja. Saidu Sale and his accomplices had plotted to kidnap a woman and demanded a ransom of one million dollars.”

As exhibits, one AK-47 rifle, three magazines, and three rounds of live 7.62mm ammo were found.

Another incidence was the successful capture of Shehu Garba by a combined team of police officers from the anti-kidnapping squad working with local hunters in relation to the kidnapping of Maunde Mohammed of Sunkani in the Ardo kola local government area.

Three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, nineteen live bullets, twenty-three empty ammo shells, five solar panels, three chains, eleven padlocks, one wristwatch, one knife, a number of keys, eleven aprons, various charms, and a black waist bag are among the exhibits that were found.

“We have reported the incident to Anambra state and they are continuing with the investigation,” the highway patrol team said in reference to the armed robbery. “During a stop and search operation, one Abdullahi Yahaya was arrested in Wukari with a black Toyota Corolla vehicle with registration number AGU 570 TN that was stolen at gunpoint and the driver shot at Anambra state.”

“On June 22, 2024, a joint police team from Benue State’s Wukari Division and Gbegi Division searched the area surrounding the crime scene. They apprehended one suspect, Aondokatu, and found a stolen motorcycle.”

The following people were detained by a patrol unit from the Sunkani Division for illegally possessing weapons that are prohibited. 1. Rudana Obadiah 2. Benjamin Majo 3. Benjamin Isah is carrying a single handgun manufactured in the area.

Alhaji Abdul Buji Shehu “m” of Sibre Village, Ardo-Kola LGA, was taken into custody by Police Operatives assigned to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on June 17, 2024, at approximately 1435 hours, based on actionable intelligence. The following weapons were found in his home: (1) an AK-47 rifle; (2) a revolver manufactured in the area; (3) a pump action; and (4) a single barrel gun. The case has been brought before the court after the investigation was finished.

A number of additional cases include culpable homicide, housebreaking and theft, and livestock rustling.

The police chief asked all non-state actors who have offered to help the police provide security to their communities to do so under the supervision of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Area of Responsibility, while urging all Taraba residents to be law-abiding and refrain from using self-help to settle scores.

The illegal ownership and use of firearms in the name of community security will not be tolerated by the command. I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Agbu Kefas, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, as well as other sister agencies and the Vigilantes/Hunters for their assistance, cooperation, and coordinated efforts in battling crime in the state.

The command I oversee will not waver in its commitment to achieving long-term peace in the state. Last but not least, we applaud the commitment of our officers and soldiers to maintaining law and order and we also encourage the public to keep providing crucial information to support the battle against crime.