Some officers attached to the Uturu Division of the Abia State Police Command have been taken into custody following allegations of assaulting a student, her brother, and another passenger. The incident occurred on Saturday at about 2:31 p.m. along Uturu Road near Abia State University. The officers reportedly stopped a minibus at a checkpoint, ordered the occupants out, and dragged them into a nearby bush.
The student, who shared her experience, said she was questioned about owning three phones and calmly explained she had bought them with her own money. Instead of accepting her explanation, the officers allegedly disarmed the passengers, beat them severely, and threatened to shoot them or prevent them from graduating. She stated her ear was injured, bleeding, and now has impaired hearing, while her phone screen was also damaged.
Her brother and the other passenger sustained injuries during the attack. The officers involved were not wearing name tags, according to the victim. A viral video circulating online shows one officer demanding to know why the student had three phones and attempting to seize them. In response, the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) confirmed the officers had been identified, disarmed, and detained.
The CRU posted its update on X on Sunday, stating that Abia State Police Command would release an official statement on the viral video. It added, "UPDATE: Alledged officers from #Uturu Division have been identified, disarmed & detained. @abiapoliceNG to release an official statement on the viral video. We say #notoimpunity #policeisyourfriend #wearyournametag @TunjiDisu1 @CspIniedu @tonyplacid."
The same police force meant to protect Abia State University students allegedly threatened to stop them from graduating after beating them for owning three phones. The officers involved were not wearing name tags, making accountability harder for the victims. If police can inflict such violence over personal belongings, student safety near Uturu is severely compromised. The Abia State Police Command's official statement must clarify whether internal discipline can truly address this kind of abuse.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Full disclaimer →
