…Says, “Some victims arrested, while closing their shops to go home.”
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has been petitioned over alleged “illegal operations” of Bauchi State Police Command.
The petition, dated 19th May 2025, and made available to our reporter, stated that “At least, over 40 innocent, law-abiding citizens of Nigerians were reportedly seen in police custody in Bauchi.”
The acknowledgement letter of the petition made available to our reporter by the Petitioner and Activist, Rev. Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa, stated that some victims were arrested, while closing their shops to go home, between the hours of 9:00 and 10:00pm, while others were detained on their way home from work or business, despite the current harsh economic hardship.
Dated May 19, 2025, the petition, addressed to the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Three Arms Zone, Garki, FCT, Abuja, is entitled, ‘Petition Against Bauchi State Police Command on Illegal Operation.’
It added that, “On May 13-17, 2025, I visited Bauchi State in Bauchi Town and stayed at a guest house, called ‘Horizontal Guest House.’ To my surprise, two young businessmen also staying at the hotel went to a shop to buy some provisions. Suddenly, some police officers rushed into the Horizontal Guest House, arrested these two young businessmen, took them into police custody, and demanded N10,000 each for bail.
“When these young businessmen were released and returned to the guest house, the receptionist informed me about what had happened to them. I asked them to follow me to the Police Station where they were being detained; and we went together to meet the police officers.
“I inquired about the offenses these young men had committed. The police officers candidly admitted that they were on a mission to extort innocent, law-abiding Nigerian citizens, “and there was nothing we could do.”
“Upon arrival at the station, I saw over 40 innocent, law-abiding citizens in police custody. Some victims had been arrested, while closing their shops to go home, between 9:00-10:00 pm. Others were detained on their way home from work or business.
“Despite the economic hardship many Nigerians face, police officers were using their uniforms and guns to intimidate, harass, and molest innocent citizens, unlawfully collecting N10,000 or N15,000. This is another form of kidnapping!
“Therefore, we call on the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission to take necessary actions against the criminal activities of some police officers, who perpetuate injustice and make life unbearable for innocent, law-abiding citizens.
“Sir, we look forward to your prompt attention to redress the great injustice meted out to Nigerian citizens, which is a total violation of their inherent rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” it stated.
The statement was signed by: Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa, Rev. Amb., Director-General Centre for Justice on Religious and Ethnicity in Nigeria, 08033497229, 08027141437, and copied the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, the Governor of Bauchi State, the Chairman, Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Minister of Police Affairs, the Rt. Honourable Speaker, House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate, respectfully.