AGENE GODWIN, Benin
A man currently under the detention by the Edo state command of the Nigerian police, Mr Daniel Owie has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, just as he appealed to the general public for help in his protracted dilemma.
Owie who is presently on crutches said he was brutalised and shot in the leg at Ihama, GRA by soldiers in Benin, the Edo State capital.
This is even as the Nigerian Army has insisted that the man in question, Owie, is an armed robber, who attempted to snatch the soldiers’ vehicle.
In an earlier petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, the victim appealed to him to investigate the alleged murder attempt on his life and the breach of his fundamental human rights by a group of soldiers led by a yet to be identified captain in Benin. In the petition forwarded by his counsel, Mr. Benjamin Iluobe, Owie called on the IGP to direct the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, to thoroughly investigate the abuse of power by the Army Captain and his gang.
However, in a swift reaction, spokesman of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Benin, Capt. Joseph Unuakhalu, said Owie was a member of a robbery gang, who robbed an army officer along Ihama Road on the fateful day and was arrested by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.
“At about 10:30pm on 3 October 2015, Troops of 4 Brigade Garrison responding to a distress call, rescued an army officer, who was attacked by suspected armed robbers at the Ihama Junction, along Airport Road, Benin city.
“During the attack, the officer’s index finger was cut off by the suspected robbers. Earlier, the gang robbed two policemen from Lagos Command, who came for their colleague’s wedding. Prior to the troops’ arrival, personnel of the Nigerian Air Force close to the scene responded and arrested one of the suspected robbers, Mr. Daniel Owie, while others ran away abandoning a Kia Sportage SUV with Reg No EDO BEN 190 BR.
“He was handed over to our troops on arrival. However, the suspect attempted to escape and was shot in his left leg. Suspect is currently receiving treatment at the UBTH while investigations are ongoing.”
Speaking to newsmen at the state command where he is presently being detained, Owie in his words said: “I am based in Belgium; I came to Nigeria for the burial of a friend of mine who lost his mother. This incident happened at about 8pm between me and the Military men
“That day it was a bit heavy with rain in the month, 3rd of October. And there was flood so I stepped out of the car to tell this very guy in a C-Class that he should move so that we can pass because the other place is covered with flood. He didn’t respond, and then I ask again please sir move your car, the next thing he stepped out of the car with a heavy punch in my eye.
“I told him this is not fair and he said I had no right to tell him to move his car that if I knew who he is and I said I don’t want to know who he is, that he should move his car then before I knew it he beat the hell out of me himself and his colleagues. Then they called for backup and one ‘Operation Thunderstorm’ vehicle came and Captain Ken gave them orders to take me.
“I found out that I was on the ground and they were still marching me and I was trying to protect my ribs but I failed and then when it came to the point I felt like I was going to die I told one of the soldiers that I want to pee. When I stood up wanting to walk a meter to pee, Captain Ken shot my leg that I wanted to run.
“I have been here for more than 10 days now, I spent 2 days in UBTH then the Federal High court gave an order that the military men should bring me to the court for them to explain why the two military men shot me and I am still arrested. So for them to take me to the court, they decided to take me to the police station.
“When it happened we were three, I, my younger brother and a friend of mine called Kelvin and we were coming from the burial by Ihama. I live not too far from there.
