Police brutality was taken to another level last week when an armed mobile policeman reportedly rained blows and physically assaulted a female medical doctor in a Delta state-owned hospital in Ogwashi Uku, Aniocha south council area of the state.
According to NIGERIAN TRIBUNE, the crisis started on Thursday night when some policemen on escort duty to a burial ceremony in Ogwashi Uku town rushed some persons to the hospital following injuries they sustained during a fight that ensued at the wake.
According to findings, shortly after the victims were attended to by the doctor, one of the policemen became hostile despite all efforts made by his colleagues to calm him down.
“The policeman holding his gun started shouting at the doctor inside the emergency ward. He said so many things to the doctor. He was insisting that one of the victims in particular (his brother) be treated.
“Despite being told outrightly by the doctor and others health workers that the person and indeed all others have been treated, the man was not satisfied.
“He moved towards the doctor while sitting and gave her a severe blow, kicked and dragged her to the ground until some staff come to her rescue.
“The other policemen sensing more danger hurriedly escape from here.
“Other doctors were so sad what happened to their colleague and immediately decided to shut down”, an eyewitness account said.
In his reaction, the Permanent Secretary in the state health management board, Dr Paul Okunbor described the action of the policeman as unacceptable adding that the issue of doctors in the facility protesting over the matter was being addressed.
Dr Okunbor hoped the police authority would expedite action as it had assured to fish out the mobile policeman .
Confirming the story, the state police public relations officer DSP Bright Edafe said the suspect, a mobile policeman is not from the state command and that he was yet to be found.
He said the policemen involved accompanied some personalities outside Delta state to a burial ceremony in Ogwashi Uku, assuring that no stone would be left unturned in the command’s investigation to get the policeman in question.
However, Delta State Commissioner of Police (CP), Wale Abass has apologized to the management of the general hospital Ogwashi over the assault.
The CP in a said the officer whose identity is yet unknown acted in a manner unbecoming of a police officer. “His action is inexcusable and unpardonable, and as such, he will surely be identified and dealt with accordingly…
“The Command condemns the act in totality as no citizens of Nigeria or residents deserve to be treated in such a manner by the police or anybody.”
