The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria, NOPRIN has called for the investigation and prosecution of a naval officer who shot and critically wounded a commercial motorcyclist in Idah, Kogi State.
Muhammed Idachaba was shot by Navy Commander Otuh Bassey on July 26 , 2016 after being frog matched for apparently contesting the right of way with the military officer who was driving a Sport Utility Vehicle.
In a statement signed by its National Commander, Okechukwu Nwanguma, NOPRIN detailed the inhuman treatment meted on the hapless motorcyclist by the naval officer.
“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.
“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.”
Saturday Punch reports that NOPRIN gathered that it became apparent that Bassey was visiting a past grievance on Idachaba when he pointedly told the motorcyclist that the time had come to waste him as he had promised during an earlier encounter.
“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.
“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.”
Unknown to Bassey however, a plainclothed policeman had trailed him to the motor park where he dropped off the girl in his SUV.
He arrested the girl and took her to the police station from where she was made to call Navy Commander Otuh Bassey who then came and made a statement.
“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."
According to reports, Idachaba is billed to undergo surgery at the Federal Medical Center, Lokoja on 12 August 2016.
NOPRIN in its statement called on the Navy authorities to dismiss Commander Bassey and hand him over to the police for prosecution.
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