Nigerian Police Inspector Recounts Torture and 11-Month Unlawful Detention

A Nigerian police officer, Inspector Patrick, has revealed the harrowing ordeal he faced after being falsely accused of belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Arrested while traveling home to see his family, he endured severe torture and nearly a year of unlawful detention despite proving his innocence.

Patrick, formerly stationed at the Omuma Police Divisional Headquarters in Orlu East, was arrested in Ihiala by members of the Ebubeagu security outfit. Unaware that the group had recently been attacked by gunmen, he was immediately treated as a suspect. Despite presenting his police identification, he was brutally beaten, shackled, and tortured.

"I was on my way home to see my wife and six children when they stopped me. They accused me of being part of the attack simply because I was passing by," Patrick recounted.

Even after an army officer intervened, his suffering continued. He was detained at a police station where his superiors confirmed his identity, yet he remained locked up for eight days before being transferred to another facility. Over the next 11 months and three weeks, he faced relentless mistreatment, with fellow officers showing little regard for his plight.

"My investigating officer even told me to prepare for prison. He said I wouldn’t be the first police officer to end up there," he said.

Despite eventually being cleared of all accusations, Patrick’s hardship did not end. He was denied his rightful salary, with over 20 months of unpaid wages still owed to him.

"Instead of receiving my full 12 months' salary, I was paid only one month. To this day, I haven’t received the rest," he lamented.

His prolonged detention also took a severe toll on his health, leaving him with an untreated infection affecting his legs. Meanwhile, his family has suffered greatly, with one of his children critically ill and no means to afford medical treatment.

"Whenever I look at my legs, I curse the day I joined the Nigerian police. I served for 23 years, and this is how I was repaid," Patrick said.

He is now appealing to the Inspector General of Police for justice, seeking his reinstatement and compensation for the hardships he has endured.

Attempts to obtain a response from the Anambra State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to the Police Public Relations Officer went unanswered at the time of this report.