By Our Correspondent
A Lagos resident, Mr. Daniel Ufoma, and his colleague, Kosin Ayo, have allegedly endured a harrowing experience involving arrest, detention and physical assault by police officers, an incident that has continued to raise questions about the treatment of citizens in police custody.
According to an eyewitness account obtained by our correspondent, the incident occurred on the evening of July 2, 2014, when Ufoma and Ayo were reportedly returning home after a demanding day at work with Laudable Haulage Nigeria Limited.
The two men were said to be travelling along Olojo Drive in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State at about 7 p.m. when their vehicle was stopped by a group of police officers.
The occupants reportedly complied when ordered out of the vehicle for a search. However, they were said to have been confused because no reason was initially given for the stoppage.
Sources said the men politely asked the officers why they were being stopped and what offence they had committed. Rather than receiving an explanation, the situation allegedly became tense as the officers questioned them about where they were coming from, where they were going and their occupations.
Their mobile phones and personal belongings were also reportedly searched.
Ufoma, according to the account, pleaded with the officers to allow them to continue their journey because it was already getting late. The situation, however, allegedly escalated into violence.
A nearby eyewitness claimed that the officers slapped the men repeatedly and that Ufoma was kicked and struck with the butt of a firearm. The two men reportedly pleaded with the officers to stop and attempted to protect themselves.
The eyewitness further alleged that Ufoma fell to the ground after being struck, but instead of receiving assistance, he was allegedly subjected to further beating and accused of resisting arrest.
The men were subsequently forced into a police vehicle and taken away.
Families Left in the Dark
Their families were reportedly unaware of their whereabouts for some time, as their phones had allegedly been seized and switched off.
At the police station, the situation was said to have deteriorated further. According to the account, the men were detained without being given a clear explanation of the offence for which they were being held and were allegedly subjected to intimidation and further physical abuse.
They reportedly sought permission to contact their relatives and requested legal and medical assistance because of injuries allegedly sustained during the incident. Those requests, according to the account, were allegedly ignored.
It was not until about three days later that they reportedly regained access to their phones and were able to contact their families.
When relatives eventually saw them, they were allegedly shocked by their condition. Their clothes were reportedly torn, dirty and damaged, while visible injuries and swelling were said to have been observed on their bodies.
Sources described the men as exhausted, frightened and emotionally distressed following the ordeal.
Alleged Repeated Arrests
The account further alleges that Ufoma subsequently faced repeated arrests whenever public disturbances occurred within the community, with the police allegedly suspecting him of involvement.
The repeated incidents were said to have affected his ability to concentrate on his work and eventually contributed to the loss of his job.
The allegations have sparked concerns over the broader issue of citizens’ rights during arrest and detention.
Police officers are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting lives and property, maintaining public order and enforcing the law. Any allegation that citizens were subjected to unnecessary violence, humiliation or unlawful detention therefore warrants proper investigation.
Ufoma Later Declared Wanted
The controversy surrounding Ufoma reportedly resurfaced years later.
According to information made available to our correspondent, the Nigeria Police Force, through its headquarters in Abuja, declared Ufoma Daniel wanted around November 16, 2020.
He was allegedly accused of inciting members of the public against the police and was described as a person of particular interest in connection with the End SARS protests in Lagos.
The declaration was reportedly issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, FCT Police Command, DCP Fom Pam Joseph, psc(+).
The police allegedly stated that Ufoma was among individuals suspected of sponsoring activities connected with the protests.
Details contained in the reported wanted notice described him as being 34 years old at the time, with an oval face, light complexion and black hair, and fluent in English and Igbo. He was reportedly last seen at Victoria Garden City, Lagos.
The circumstances surrounding the allegations against Ufoma, as well as the earlier claims of assault and unlawful detention, remain matters requiring proper clarification from the relevant authorities.
Call for Investigation
The families and concerned parties are calling for a comprehensive investigation into the allegations, including the circumstances surrounding Ufoma and Ayo’s arrest, detention and alleged assault.
They are also demanding that any officer found culpable after a credible investigation should be held accountable in accordance with the law.
They further called for appropriate medical attention and access to justice for anyone who suffered injuries during the alleged incident.
Human-rights advocates have consistently maintained that allegations of arbitrary arrest, prolonged detention, torture and excessive use of force by law-enforcement personnel should be thoroughly investigated.
For the families involved, the issue is not merely about a past arrest. It is about the pain of watching loved ones allegedly return from custody injured, frightened and traumatised—and the lingering questions over whether justice was ever served. However, Ufoma still remain wanted till today by the police.
