Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by worldclass68(m): 9:32pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
Mgbadike80: #EndSARS: "We Drank Our Urine To Quench Thirst In SARS Cell"--SARS Victim
#EndSARS: "We drank our urine to quench thirst in SARS cell"---SARS Victim Recounts. As the ‘EndSARS’ campaign continues to sweep across the nation, a 23-year-old man has recounted his horrifying encounter with operatives of the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS), Awkuzu, in Anambra State. It was learnt that some SARS operatives had been threatening the young man and because of this, his real name is concealed. It is, however, important to note that Amnesty International is solidly behind this young man in his quest for justice. For the purpose of this write up, he would be called "Chijindu". Chijindu was arrested on February 13, 2017, in Anambra State, after he was accused of stealing a laptop. He was moved to Awkuzu SARS around 6:30pm that fateful day. He recalled that immediately he was dragged to SARS office, he was frisked and his money, N15,400, which was in his pocket, was confiscated. The policemen also allegedly collected his wristwatch, necklace and phone. He further recounted: “When the Admin officer saw me, he directed his men to go and hang me. They took me to the back of a hall and tied me with ropes. They tied my hands behind; tied my two legs and then joined the ropes in the hands and that of the legs by the back causing my chest to protrude. They had two already prepared iron stands where they used to hang people. They crossed an iron rod through the ropes and then lifted me up by the rod and hung me on the iron stand. They started using all manner of items to beat me, including machete and sticks. They inflicted injuries on me. “One of the officers, Simeon, used an exhaust pipe to hit my teeth, breaking them. I was left hanging for more than three hours. I shouted until I started vomiting blood. Another officer, Agaba, told them to bring me down; that he didn’t want to hear my cries again. When the officer left, my torturers forced a handkerchief into my mouth and tied it with a rope. I was in that state for more than two hours and then I became semi-conscious.” According to Chijindu, when Simeon came to check and noticed he had almost lost consciousness, he called their team leader, Aghaogu, who was also the second in command (2ic) of the team. Aghaogu ordered that Chijindu be brought down. Chijindu said: “They dumped me inside the interrogation hall. Simeon brought my phone, and asked me if I was the owner. I told him I bought it with my money. He took out my two SIM cards and destroyed them with his teeth. He then dropped the phone into his drawer. He told me that it was exhibit. “Aghaogu instructed them to take me to cell five, which is the worst cell in Awkuzu SARS. Those in cell five hardly eat or drink water. The next morning, they brought me out of the cell and took me to Onitsha. They forced me to go and show them where I sold phones and laptops. In Onitsha, at Emeka Offor Plaza, they arrested four persons, alleging that the four guys bought things from me. “But the truth was that I had never met any of those men in my life. They also took me to my aunt’s house in Onitsha and arrested her son. When we returned from Onitsha, they returned me to the place where they had hung me the previous day. They threatened to hang me again since I didn’t want to confess. Another officer, Peter Emiator, took a 2×2 wood and started hitting me on my two legs. He said that he would cripple me since I seemed to be stubborn. He gave me several injuries.The scars are still on my body.” He said that at a point, Aghaogu took Simeon to one corner and had a discussion with him. After the discussion, Simeon returned and without blinking, pulled out his gun and fired Chijindu’s right leg. Another officer, who witnessed the cold blooded shooting, reprimanded Simeon. “My leg started bleeding. Simeon told him that he shouldn’t worry, that they would treat me. Then they took the singlet of one of their victims and tied the bullet injury and returned me to cell five. The owner of the singlet was terribly tortured and shot in the leg and dumped in the cell without any treatment. He died the following morning as a result of the torture,” Chinjindu recalled. The following day, the person that allegedly complained that Chijindu stole his laptop, paid a visit to SARS. The suspect was brought and right in his presence, the policemen started quizzing Chijindu about the laptop. Chijindu said: “I told them that I didn’t know anything about the laptop. The complainant left and I was returned to the cell. That was the last time I heard from the complainant. He didn’t visit again. I was kept in the cell from February 13, 2017 to March 17. We were not given food except some Reverend Sisters or family members of detainees bring food. The Reverend Sister usually bring food on Thursdays and Saturdays. On March 17, there was a rumour that the Human Rights people were coming on emergency inspection of Awkuzu SARS. The policemen brought us out; we were 10 in number. They put us in bus and moved us to another of their cell in Neni.” The Commander at Neni told Chijindu and other suspects to remove their boxers, which was the only garment they had on. The suspects were left naked. The commander instructed his men to take the suspects to cell one. This cell is nicknamed, ‘condemned cell.’ Chijindu narrated: “We passed two passages and then went to a third passage, leading to the cell. After a while, the commander came to address us. He promised to speak with the OC at Awkuzu, to permit them at Neni to give us water to drink. “We waited for two days without any food or water. Then some of us started shouting from the cell, calling on them to give us water. Some of us started urinating and drinking the urine. One of the officers at Neni, nicknamed ‘Too-much-money,’ admonished us to save our strength. He said that we still had a long way to go. Because of this admonition, we shouted the more. We screamed that it was better for them to shoot and kill us, than to starve us to death. They replied that they preferred to watch us die one after the other.” When the suspects continued to cry weakly for water, the exasperated policemen allegedly teargas them into silence. The suspects started crying; they prayed for death, but death refused to come. They were brought out from their cell, and teargassed again, but this time with another kind of teargas; this one was wrapped. The policemen then locked the suspects inside, with many almost choking to death. Chijindu said: “It was terrible. All of my fellow inmates collapsed. Some were foaming from the mouth. I was the only conscious person, but the effect of the gas was bending my neck and twisting my two hands. We were in that condition for three days. On the third day, they came to check whether we were still alive. "They found that we were still breathing, although the teargas had dried almost all the water in our system, making us weaker. They washed the cells and applied some substances after which they returned all suspects to cells.” All this while, the suspects were yet to be given water. Chijindu said that they continued to beg for water, but there was no succor. The Station Officer (SO) asked if any of the suspect came to the world with any cloth, they responded no. He then asked them if they would go with any cloth when they died, they also responded no. He then left them without saying another word. Chijindu noted: “It was then we realized that it was a death sentence.” He continued: “After that week, one of us, Ifeanyi, was bailed, leaving nine of us behind. Before the end of that second week, four, among us died; Okechukwu, Uchenna, Uchechukwu and Chinedu. Their corpses were left with us in the cell until the policemen were ready to evacuate them.” Chijindu further revealed that on the third week, three persons died; Ngirima, Victor Azubuike and Ojoto. Two among the corpses were moved after a full day in the cell with the suspects, while Ojoto’s corpse was left in the cell with the suspects for three days before it was evacuated. Chijindu said that the corpse Ojoto was already decomposing before it was removed. “When the policemen were taking Ojoto’s remains away, I heard them saying, “this one don rotten; no need to carry go Akwuzu, make we bury am for here”. I managed with the little energy left in me to stretch and peep through our tiny window. I watched and saw how they buried Ojoto beside a soak- away-pit at the back of their office there in Neni,” said Chijindu. On Easter Sunday, one of the officers came to attend to suspects in the cells. He told the suspects that their commander would celebrate Easter for them. Alas, nothing was given to them. The following day, which was Easter Monday, while Chidinju was praying, he heard Tochukwu give up his last breath . The suspects alerted the policemen and Tochukwu’s corpse was moved. But before Tochukwu died, two new suspects had joined them in the cell. They are Ifeanyi Mba and Ekene Nwoke. They were both transferred from Akwuzu. When Tochukwu died, Ifeanyi and Ekene started crying. A week after the death of Tochukwu, there were moves to bail one of the new suspects, Chinjidu secretly handed him a piece of paper. The paper contained non-inked written information on how to locate his sister and the direction to his home in Nnewi which he had managed to scribble with a piece of broken broom stick. The young man fulfilled his promise; he located the home and family of Chijindu. He disclosed to them, the horror the young men were passing through in SARS detention facilities. Chijindu family contacted some Human Right activists. It was discovered that Chijindu family members didn’t know he was in detention. They had been looking for him, almost about to declare him missing. Chijindu family and the activists started making frantic efforts to get him out. They were further worried after hearing that he had a gunshot wound on his leg, which was festering. Chijindu said: “The Human Rights people went to Awkuzu and asked after me, the OC SARS called the Station Officer in Neni, who was behind our cell taking his call. The OC reprimanded the commander for allowing us to survive. I overheard their conversation because the SO's phone was on speaker. The OC accused them of giving us food, an accusation which the SO denied. Then the SO and his men brought all of us out and started flogging us. They were mad at me. They searched everywhere, looking for writing materials or phone, with which I communicated to the outside world. They couldn’t find anything. They threatened to bring me out and “finish” me. On April 24, 2017, around 9:30pm, some policemen came to Neni and took me to Awkuzu. “The following day, which was a Tuesday, policemen brought me out to the see the OC SARS. The OC asked me if I was Chijindu, I said yes. He openly expressed shock that I survived Neni. The OC then asked me whether I had eaten anything, I said no. He asked me what I wanted to eat, I told him that I wanted liquid as I found it very difficult to swallow. He asked them to go and get me tea with bread. The following day they took me to Magistrate’s Court at Nteje.” When Chijindu was arraigned, it was discovered that there was no complainant, no witness. He also didn’t have legal representation. The police charged him for armed robbery. The Magistrate referred the case to High court. The New Telegraph Newspaper, had earlier chronicled an award winning piece on the killings of suspects and other atrocities committed by SARS men across Nigeria. The chronicle was recognized and applauded by the Wole Soyinka Centre of Investigative Journalism. The atrocities in SARS had spanned many Inspectors-Generals of Police, but it is on record, that former IGP, Solomon Arase rose against such horrendous activities. It was also during his administration that some SARS men were dismissed for killing detainees and other shocking acts. Immediately Arase left office, the Force went back to its old ways of flagrant impunity. An Amnesty International Nigeria spokesperson, Mr Damian Ugwu, reacting to those support SARS activities, said: “It was disheartening to see pictures of young man and women in Port Harcourt and Abuja, carrying banners in support of SARS. I often wonder how far some Nigerians are willing to go to survive. Most worrisome is that some people who claimed to represent Anambra State were also part of the charade. For the record Anambra State is the home of SARS Awkuzu.” According to Amnesty International, detainees were subjected to “horrific torture methods, including hanging, starvation, beatings, shootings and mock executions, at the hands of corrupt SARS officers. Ugwu, said: “A police unit created to protect the people has instead become a danger to society, torturing its victims with complete impunity while fomenting a toxic climate of fear and corruption. Our research has uncovered a pattern of ruthless human rights violations where victims are arrested and tortured until they either make a ‘confession’ or pay officers a bribe to be released. Most of the time, huge amounts ranging from N100,000 to even N500,000 was paid to secure the release of some of those detained. Failure to meet such huge financial demands meant imminent death while in detention. The SARS officers are getting rich through their brutality because as you can see, it seems that torture has become a lucrative business.” Amnesty International said it found 130 detainees living in overcrowded cells at a SARS detention in Abuja known as the ‘Abattoir’. Investigation has showed that people detained by SARS, are often not allowed access to a lawyer, a doctor or family members while in incarceration. Yet in various cases where victims of police torture or other ill-treatment attempted to seek justice, the authorities took no action. “It is time for the authorities to ensure that officers responsible for such human rights violations are finally held accountable. There is also an urgent need for robust legislation that ensures all acts of torture are offences under Nigeria’s criminal law,” said Ugwu. The Police Public Relation Officer (FPRO), Jimoh Moshood, has dismissed allegations of torture and crimes leveled against SARS. SARS was established by the Nigeria police to tackle armed robberies. On December 2, Nigerians took to the social media to condemn impunity among SARS operatives. One of those who shared their experiences is Chijindu. Moshood told Nigerians to be wary of their use of social media saying the #EndSARS was started by someone with an ulterior motive. He said the social media was porous and users should be cautious. His words: “Somebody who has an ulterior motive put up the hashtag and said #EndSARS now. Nigerians should be mindful because the social media is very porous. What is the cause of the outcry in the first place? This was why the IGP was concerned about the cause of the outcry. People should be mindful of the intention of the person that put up the hashtag that people are falling into it.” According to him, SARS has been in operation for over 40 years and those calling for a scrap of the squad should disabuse their minds as they are performing their duties well. Speaking concerning complaints and allegations by some social media users of being brutalized by SARS, Moshood said Nigerians should report complains about the operations of SARS. He said: “We’re not saying there is no infraction. If there are infraction not only in SARS personnel, even other conventional policemen that carry out other responsibility, people should report to us and it will be addressed. When you have complaints, report to us and it will be addressed. There has not been any specific violation of human rights leveled against any SARS personnel. So anybody that is spreading such a rumor is not doing the nation any good. SARS has no excesses and when there is any, we do investigate. The call for SARS to be scrapped should be condemned by all well- meaning Nigerians.” the Police spokesman said. SOURCE: https://web.facebook.com/ AnambraOnline/ posts/1493588180719445
https://www.nairaland.com/4239124/endsars-drank-urine-quench-thirst#63375277 Hmmmmmmmm imagine doing that to ur fellow human being, not to talk of same tribesman......... ![cry](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/cry.gif) 2 Likes |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by kponkedenge(m): 9:40pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
Why is this guy still walking freely? 4 Likes |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by dangotesmummy: 9:40pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
humilitypays: Honestly if Buhari and Osinbajo allow OC James Nwafor to go unpunished, God will visit them and their children soonest not later!
Anambra people, Willie Obiano must not win reelection into that position as Anambra Governor!
For hiring this killer, Willie Obiano is complacent too, gosh!! I am crying reading these stories ![cry](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/cry.gif) both of them.obiano/James are accomplices of these barbaric crimes 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by frozen70(f): 9:41pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
This is so dis heartening
My heart bleeds after reading this barbaric act
What a horror 1 Like |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by Liposure: 9:42pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
This people are heartless |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by worldclass68(m): 9:42pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
I think we should have secret independence Nigerian nationalists/Patriotists just like how they use to have in the United States !!!
We seriously need to delete some elements in this country if you get what I mean! 5 Likes 1 Share |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by braveboi4life: 9:42pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
I have said it that politicians should steer clear of this agitation, they are notorious and are part of what is going on in SARS either directly or indirectly, Obiano cannot tell me that he doesnt know about the activities of Nwafor and how notorious, devilish and wicked he has been. Imagine someone that has been a governor for about 6years doesnt know about the devilish Awkuzu SARS, Its obvious he was brought into his government to do some dirty and stainless jobs. It never occured to him that a day like this would come. What he just did by dismissing him from his govt was to save his face. I can bet every one with my left balls that the prosecution of Mr Nwafor will never see the light of the day. Top on the list that would use all means to frustrate his prosecution is the governor. Shame on them, all politicians, including sanwaolu, wike, obiano, makinde e.t.c including the pseudo democrats like sowore, durotoye Ezekwesili we dont want their pretence. We the youths will fight our way true. ![embarassed](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/embarassed.png) # A BIG SHAME ON WILLI WILLI OBIANO 12 Likes 1 Share |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by dangotesmummy: 9:43pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
do4luv14:
Somebody that had gone into hiding, before youth will reach his place
then they should burn down his house and hotel ![lipsrsealed](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/lipsrsealed.png) How can he be killing with brazen impunity and still be alive? How can he cause pain to parents and still be hiding somewhere.both the person hiding him and him,they will both die disgraceful death and the blood he has spilled will keep crying for vengeance on him and his family 1 Like |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by aspirebig: 9:44pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
Why are criminal always finding their ways into the force in Nigeria?
The rate of bad news we consume daily in this country is alarming. 1 Like |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by KingRamesses: 9:46pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
[quote author=uniqueboi1 post=94975910]James Nwafor
He must be lynched to death. That is the price of of his sins.
One can be a police officer and not kill a soul. He clearly derived joy in shooting his victims. Giving them headshots.
You will die unfortunately, your family inclusive.
That’s not how to punish such miscreant scumbag , Vietnam Suit is the best for someone like him , double Shorts sleeve and double Three quarters ,nothing sweet like artificial legs and hands for them bastard .. be advised please don’t do it at home thanks 1 Like |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by Nobody: 9:52pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
juniormod:
What happened to ipobexposed bro, I am new here. Use Google |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by NairaLEARN: 9:53pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
So sad All this in Anambra state |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by uniqueboi1(m): 9:53pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
[quote author=KingRamesses post=95013287][/quote]
Hahahaha |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by Munzy14(m): 9:54pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
SavageMaster: How come Willie Obiano appointed the James Nwafor guy as his SSA on Security all this while without doing a background check on him? Politicians use such people for dirty job....Aside that, awkuzu sars are being accused of supplying human parts to politicians and ritualists. Most people sent there, never came back alive. The commander is one amongst thousands of his type, currently in the police force....Some humans are extremely evil. 1 Like |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by rinzaugustine: 10:06pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
Abagworo: Peter Obi worked with this Nwafor in unleashing mayhem on Igbo citizens especially Biafran organizations. Even this demolition of Upper Class Hotel was carried out under Peter Obi's supervision alondside Nwafor so why did the post carefully dodge this open truth
https://www.nairaland.com/1954739/peter-obi-upper-class-hotel I think peter obi had settled him for his hotel he demolished.He omitted his name from the article |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by idahme(m): 10:07pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
This is genocide..... Speechless 1 Like |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by nedekid: 10:11pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
SavageMaster: How come Willie Obiano appointed the James Nwafor guy as his SSA on Security all this while without doing a background check on him? Of course he knew. Guess hiring him as an enforcer/political thug made sense. |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by CodeTemplar: 10:12pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
4 Likes |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by Ten06(m): 10:18pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
People can still continue to try to salvage this country, but as for me I have lost hope on this country 2 Likes |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by BENEAMATA: 10:21pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
That jimoh moshood guy sha . Make we report a mad dog to it's rabbid demented mother ba . Willie obiano i must say cannot tell me he had no background knowledge of the devil's lap dog he appointed as SA on security . I mean AKWUZU SARS . KILLINGS . BODY PARTS . POLITICIANS . BLOOD RITUALS . . . . . connect the dots . Black man , remember the last day .What a way to go . We pray all the souls gruesomely murdered before their time find rest 2 Likes |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by ensamy(m): 10:22pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
4 Likes 1 Share |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by mariahAngel(f): 10:23pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
Mgbadike80: #EndSARS: "We Drank Our Urine To Quench Thirst In SARS Cell"--SARS Victim
#EndSARS: "We drank our urine to quench thirst in SARS cell"---SARS Victim Recounts. As the ‘EndSARS’ campaign continues to sweep across the nation, a 23-year-old man has recounted his horrifying encounter with operatives of the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS), Awkuzu, in Anambra State. It was learnt that some SARS operatives had been threatening the young man and because of this, his real name is concealed. It is, however, important to note that Amnesty International is solidly behind this young man in his quest for justice. For the purpose of this write up, he would be called "Chijindu". Chijindu was arrested on February 13, 2017, in Anambra State, after he was accused of stealing a laptop. He was moved to Awkuzu SARS around 6:30pm that fateful day. He recalled that immediately he was dragged to SARS office, he was frisked and his money, N15,400, which was in his pocket, was confiscated. The policemen also allegedly collected his wristwatch, necklace and phone. He further recounted: “When the Admin officer saw me, he directed his men to go and hang me. They took me to the back of a hall and tied me with ropes. They tied my hands behind; tied my two legs and then joined the ropes in the hands and that of the legs by the back causing my chest to protrude. They had two already prepared iron stands where they used to hang people. They crossed an iron rod through the ropes and then lifted me up by the rod and hung me on the iron stand. They started using all manner of items to beat me, including machete and sticks. They inflicted injuries on me. “One of the officers, Simeon, used an exhaust pipe to hit my teeth, breaking them. I was left hanging for more than three hours. I shouted until I started vomiting blood. Another officer, Agaba, told them to bring me down; that he didn’t want to hear my cries again. When the officer left, my torturers forced a handkerchief into my mouth and tied it with a rope. I was in that state for more than two hours and then I became semi-conscious.” According to Chijindu, when Simeon came to check and noticed he had almost lost consciousness, he called their team leader, Aghaogu, who was also the second in command (2ic) of the team. Aghaogu ordered that Chijindu be brought down. Chijindu said: “They dumped me inside the interrogation hall. Simeon brought my phone, and asked me if I was the owner. I told him I bought it with my money. He took out my two SIM cards and destroyed them with his teeth. He then dropped the phone into his drawer. He told me that it was exhibit. “Aghaogu instructed them to take me to cell five, which is the worst cell in Awkuzu SARS. Those in cell five hardly eat or drink water. The next morning, they brought me out of the cell and took me to Onitsha. They forced me to go and show them where I sold phones and laptops. In Onitsha, at Emeka Offor Plaza, they arrested four persons, alleging that the four guys bought things from me. “But the truth was that I had never met any of those men in my life. They also took me to my aunt’s house in Onitsha and arrested her son. When we returned from Onitsha, they returned me to the place where they had hung me the previous day. They threatened to hang me again since I didn’t want to confess. Another officer, Peter Emiator, took a 2×2 wood and started hitting me on my two legs. He said that he would cripple me since I seemed to be stubborn. He gave me several injuries.The scars are still on my body.” He said that at a point, Aghaogu took Simeon to one corner and had a discussion with him. After the discussion, Simeon returned and without blinking, pulled out his gun and fired Chijindu’s right leg. Another officer, who witnessed the cold blooded shooting, reprimanded Simeon. “My leg started bleeding. Simeon told him that he shouldn’t worry, that they would treat me. Then they took the singlet of one of their victims and tied the bullet injury and returned me to cell five. The owner of the singlet was terribly tortured and shot in the leg and dumped in the cell without any treatment. He died the following morning as a result of the torture,” Chinjindu recalled. The following day, the person that allegedly complained that Chijindu stole his laptop, paid a visit to SARS. The suspect was brought and right in his presence, the policemen started quizzing Chijindu about the laptop. Chijindu said: “I told them that I didn’t know anything about the laptop. The complainant left and I was returned to the cell. That was the last time I heard from the complainant. He didn’t visit again. I was kept in the cell from February 13, 2017 to March 17. We were not given food except some Reverend Sisters or family members of detainees bring food. The Reverend Sister usually bring food on Thursdays and Saturdays. On March 17, there was a rumour that the Human Rights people were coming on emergency inspection of Awkuzu SARS. The policemen brought us out; we were 10 in number. They put us in bus and moved us to another of their cell in Neni.” The Commander at Neni told Chijindu and other suspects to remove their boxers, which was the only garment they had on. The suspects were left naked. The commander instructed his men to take the suspects to cell one. This cell is nicknamed, ‘condemned cell.’ Chijindu narrated: “We passed two passages and then went to a third passage, leading to the cell. After a while, the commander came to address us. He promised to speak with the OC at Awkuzu, to permit them at Neni to give us water to drink. “We waited for two days without any food or water. Then some of us started shouting from the cell, calling on them to give us water. Some of us started urinating and drinking the urine. One of the officers at Neni, nicknamed ‘Too-much-money,’ admonished us to save our strength. He said that we still had a long way to go. Because of this admonition, we shouted the more. We screamed that it was better for them to shoot and kill us, than to starve us to death. They replied that they preferred to watch us die one after the other.” When the suspects continued to cry weakly for water, the exasperated policemen allegedly teargas them into silence. The suspects started crying; they prayed for death, but death refused to come. They were brought out from their cell, and teargassed again, but this time with another kind of teargas; this one was wrapped. The policemen then locked the suspects inside, with many almost choking to death. Chijindu said: “It was terrible. All of my fellow inmates collapsed. Some were foaming from the mouth. I was the only conscious person, but the effect of the gas was bending my neck and twisting my two hands. We were in that condition for three days. On the third day, they came to check whether we were still alive. "They found that we were still breathing, although the teargas had dried almost all the water in our system, making us weaker. They washed the cells and applied some substances after which they returned all suspects to cells.” All this while, the suspects were yet to be given water. Chijindu said that they continued to beg for water, but there was no succor. The Station Officer (SO) asked if any of the suspect came to the world with any cloth, they responded no. He then asked them if they would go with any cloth when they died, they also responded no. He then left them without saying another word. Chijindu noted: “It was then we realized that it was a death sentence.” He continued: “After that week, one of us, Ifeanyi, was bailed, leaving nine of us behind. Before the end of that second week, four, among us died; Okechukwu, Uchenna, Uchechukwu and Chinedu. Their corpses were left with us in the cell until the policemen were ready to evacuate them.” Chijindu further revealed that on the third week, three persons died; Ngirima, Victor Azubuike and Ojoto. Two among the corpses were moved after a full day in the cell with the suspects, while Ojoto’s corpse was left in the cell with the suspects for three days before it was evacuated. Chijindu said that the corpse Ojoto was already decomposing before it was removed. “When the policemen were taking Ojoto’s remains away, I heard them saying, “this one don rotten; no need to carry go Akwuzu, make we bury am for here”. I managed with the little energy left in me to stretch and peep through our tiny window. I watched and saw how they buried Ojoto beside a soak- away-pit at the back of their office there in Neni,” said Chijindu. On Easter Sunday, one of the officers came to attend to suspects in the cells. He told the suspects that their commander would celebrate Easter for them. Alas, nothing was given to them. The following day, which was Easter Monday, while Chidinju was praying, he heard Tochukwu give up his last breath . The suspects alerted the policemen and Tochukwu’s corpse was moved. But before Tochukwu died, two new suspects had joined them in the cell. They are Ifeanyi Mba and Ekene Nwoke. They were both transferred from Akwuzu. When Tochukwu died, Ifeanyi and Ekene started crying. A week after the death of Tochukwu, there were moves to bail one of the new suspects, Chinjidu secretly handed him a piece of paper. The paper contained non-inked written information on how to locate his sister and the direction to his home in Nnewi which he had managed to scribble with a piece of broken broom stick. The young man fulfilled his promise; he located the home and family of Chijindu. He disclosed to them, the horror the young men were passing through in SARS detention facilities. Chijindu family contacted some Human Right activists. It was discovered that Chijindu family members didn’t know he was in detention. They had been looking for him, almost about to declare him missing. Chijindu family and the activists started making frantic efforts to get him out. They were further worried after hearing that he had a gunshot wound on his leg, which was festering. Chijindu said: “The Human Rights people went to Awkuzu and asked after me, the OC SARS called the Station Officer in Neni, who was behind our cell taking his call. The OC reprimanded the commander for allowing us to survive. I overheard their conversation because the SO's phone was on speaker. The OC accused them of giving us food, an accusation which the SO denied. Then the SO and his men brought all of us out and started flogging us. They were mad at me. They searched everywhere, looking for writing materials or phone, with which I communicated to the outside world. They couldn’t find anything. They threatened to bring me out and “finish” me. On April 24, 2017, around 9:30pm, some policemen came to Neni and took me to Awkuzu. “The following day, which was a Tuesday, policemen brought me out to the see the OC SARS. The OC asked me if I was Chijindu, I said yes. He openly expressed shock that I survived Neni. The OC then asked me whether I had eaten anything, I said no. He asked me what I wanted to eat, I told him that I wanted liquid as I found it very difficult to swallow. He asked them to go and get me tea with bread. The following day they took me to Magistrate’s Court at Nteje.” When Chijindu was arraigned, it was discovered that there was no complainant, no witness. He also didn’t have legal representation. The police charged him for armed robbery. The Magistrate referred the case to High court. The New Telegraph Newspaper, had earlier chronicled an award winning piece on the killings of suspects and other atrocities committed by SARS men across Nigeria. The chronicle was recognized and applauded by the Wole Soyinka Centre of Investigative Journalism. The atrocities in SARS had spanned many Inspectors-Generals of Police, but it is on record, that former IGP, Solomon Arase rose against such horrendous activities. It was also during his administration that some SARS men were dismissed for killing detainees and other shocking acts. Immediately Arase left office, the Force went back to its old ways of flagrant impunity. An Amnesty International Nigeria spokesperson, Mr Damian Ugwu, reacting to those support SARS activities, said: “It was disheartening to see pictures of young man and women in Port Harcourt and Abuja, carrying banners in support of SARS. I often wonder how far some Nigerians are willing to go to survive. Most worrisome is that some people who claimed to represent Anambra State were also part of the charade. For the record Anambra State is the home of SARS Awkuzu.” According to Amnesty International, detainees were subjected to “horrific torture methods, including hanging, starvation, beatings, shootings and mock executions, at the hands of corrupt SARS officers. Ugwu, said: “A police unit created to protect the people has instead become a danger to society, torturing its victims with complete impunity while fomenting a toxic climate of fear and corruption. Our research has uncovered a pattern of ruthless human rights violations where victims are arrested and tortured until they either make a ‘confession’ or pay officers a bribe to be released. Most of the time, huge amounts ranging from N100,000 to even N500,000 was paid to secure the release of some of those detained. Failure to meet such huge financial demands meant imminent death while in detention. The SARS officers are getting rich through their brutality because as you can see, it seems that torture has become a lucrative business.” Amnesty International said it found 130 detainees living in overcrowded cells at a SARS detention in Abuja known as the ‘Abattoir’. Investigation has showed that people detained by SARS, are often not allowed access to a lawyer, a doctor or family members while in incarceration. Yet in various cases where victims of police torture or other ill-treatment attempted to seek justice, the authorities took no action. “It is time for the authorities to ensure that officers responsible for such human rights violations are finally held accountable. There is also an urgent need for robust legislation that ensures all acts of torture are offences under Nigeria’s criminal law,” said Ugwu. The Police Public Relation Officer (FPRO), Jimoh Moshood, has dismissed allegations of torture and crimes leveled against SARS. SARS was established by the Nigeria police to tackle armed robberies. On December 2, Nigerians took to the social media to condemn impunity among SARS operatives. One of those who shared their experiences is Chijindu. Moshood told Nigerians to be wary of their use of social media saying the #EndSARS was started by someone with an ulterior motive. He said the social media was porous and users should be cautious. His words: “Somebody who has an ulterior motive put up the hashtag and said #EndSARS now. Nigerians should be mindful because the social media is very porous. What is the cause of the outcry in the first place? This was why the IGP was concerned about the cause of the outcry. People should be mindful of the intention of the person that put up the hashtag that people are falling into it.” According to him, SARS has been in operation for over 40 years and those calling for a scrap of the squad should disabuse their minds as they are performing their duties well. Speaking concerning complaints and allegations by some social media users of being brutalized by SARS, Moshood said Nigerians should report complains about the operations of SARS. He said: “We’re not saying there is no infraction. If there are infraction not only in SARS personnel, even other conventional policemen that carry out other responsibility, people should report to us and it will be addressed. When you have complaints, report to us and it will be addressed. There has not been any specific violation of human rights leveled against any SARS personnel. So anybody that is spreading such a rumor is not doing the nation any good. SARS has no excesses and when there is any, we do investigate. The call for SARS to be scrapped should be condemned by all well- meaning Nigerians.” the Police spokesman said. SOURCE: https://web.facebook.com/ AnambraOnline/ posts/1493588180719445
https://www.nairaland.com/4239124/endsars-drank-urine-quench-thirst#63375277 This is just too horrific! |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by higgs: 10:29pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
Evil has taken over. A mass murderer rewarded with government appointment. |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by Ifyike: 10:32pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
Oooh God of mercy! I never believed people go through all these right in my state, what kind of heart does these SARS guys have? Of course not human heart. They must have sold their heart including their souls to the devil cos no human being with feelings can subject his fellow human to such inhuman treatment and still watch the person dies. Tufiakwa! Is unimaginable, God of vengeance pls swing into action asap cos " Ike agula m kpakpam" am completely tired. 3 Likes |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by Monchadam: 10:33pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
1 Like |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by okonyia(m): 10:35pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
Very interesting!. I hope the governor do something as fast as possible |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by BENEAMATA: 10:36pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
braveboi4life: I have said it that politicians should steer clear of this agitation, they are notorious and are part of what is going on in SARS either directly or indirectly, Obiano cannot tell me that he doesnt know about the activities of Nwafor and how notorious, devilish and wicked he has been. Imagine someone that has been a governor for about 6years doesnt know about the devilish Awkuzu SARS, Its obvious he was brought into his government to do some dirty and stainless jobs. It never occured to him that a day like this would come. What he just did by dismissing him from his govt was to save his face. I can bet every one with my left balls that the prosecution of Mr Nwafor will never see the light of the day. Top on the list that would use all means to frustrate his prosecution is the governor.
We the youths will fight our way true. ![embarassed](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/embarassed.png) # A BIG SHAME ON WILLI WILLI OBIANO baba , i tire for that governor oh . And what did past number one citizens of the state do about this ritual den called Awkuzu sars ? God dey . #Awkuzusarspaybacktime. |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by gariepinus: 10:36pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
Atrocities of Awkuzu SARS under James Nwafor #EndSARS: ‘Theatre of Pain: My story at Awkuzu SARS’ by AnaedoOnline October 14, 2020 Dr Nwankwo Justin Dr Nwankwo Justin I arrived at Awkuzu SARS on the 1st day of August 2013. With a weakened body…I have kept my mind alert refusing to faint or collapse in the van. Yet upon arrival, I could read the bold inscriptions on the wall of that Nazi camp which reads…” Well, come to hellfire” I quickly told myself that we are in for the worst. I have heard the tales of this bay and camp from Aschelon and Zeba. I always thought and believed that it was the land of mongrels and that it was reserved for them until j arrives! No…I was mistaken! Marshalled straight by the almighty O.C SARS to an open rickety hall…all other victims were separated, each to his or her fate. Standing by one end was a police officer with two suspects who were chained together and the tempo of the interrogation was getting higher. Momentarily forgetting my ordeal…I kept a gaze on all corners of the hall abandoned with an ominous look of a 2nd world war torture camp. Ropes were streaming down from ceiling tops, bags of sand were elevated on perimeter wall fence of the hall and all types of rod and metal varying in shape, length and size were staring at you while you hear shouts of people from the back of the hall screaming the name of their late great grandmothers to come and intercede on their behalf. Buckets of water are standby in case one faints or opts to die before appending a signature to already written statements. I was still taking the mein of the entire facility when I was jolted back to reality by the sound of a rapid military rifle…tem tem tem!!!!!. You no wan talk…you wan follow am go, you wan travel!!! were the words resonating from the other end of the hall. I tried looking but slaps from my I.P.O…Investigating Police Officer reminded me that I was not in this camp for Excursion or Tourism. That guy don travel oooo …so make you tell me the truth otherwise I go travel you were the words from the officer. Meanwhile, the O.C torture, the 2aice (2nd in command) and about 4 other police officers started asking me questions ranging from personal to family to academic background questions…when I got to the level that I was a PhD student, the questions ceased and the O.C shouted …Mr. Tell us what happened or in his Abakaliki ascent…gbajisie gu ukpa la abo (shoot your two legs). I started my story of what happened but that was not what they wanted to hear. The questions were already made and I must be categorical in my answers…Your director kills people…No Sir! And the torture started properly… Ropes tied by my two hands…by the two legs, then both leg and hand bended and tied together with a rod passing through in between them and then elevated to a perimeter wall. In fact, if you have watched a goat prepared for a barbecue of suya night then you are close to the picture. At the turn of each question and non-compliance, a bag of sand is added at my back to add extra pain. Cries upon wails until you pass out. Ooh, you want to die…common Justin death is far removed! A cold bucket of water quickly spoils your trance and brings you back to reality. From minutes to hours, the torture lasted but never stopped until finally, you start saying that you killed Babangida so that you can be brought down meanwhile Babangida is alive. From hanging on the beam, tying of rope in a strangulation mode around the neck, Inserting of pin and rope inside the penis to circularly shooting of bullets around increasing the tempo of the questions at each turn, one is immersed into a theatre of pain and your pre-written statements a product of individual pain threshold. In the midst of my torture, I opted to set forth at dawn…dragging myself to crossover the thresholds of deaths but they were Anthills in the Savannah. The gods were wise! Around 8 pm that night, I was unconsciously taken into Cell 5. I came to know the real essence of that cell days later. Cursed with five cells at that Bay…some are better than the others. Cell 5 is the worst because it is tagged “Condemned cell”. If you happen to be there, then you are not in Awkuzu SARS because that cell for them does not exist. High profile criminals caught with military rifles are kept there awaiting execution and because our case had all the above element…I smelled the cell for 6hrs and was transferred out in the morning of next day while the director remained there till the 5th of August. From cell 5 I moved to Cell1 and to cell 4 where I rotted away without taking bath or brush, defecting in nylon polythene and not seeing the light of day except on occasional visit. A total black cell filled with the stench of rugged criminals caught with locally made rifles. In my days at Guantanamo Bay…I rekindled my pastoral skills and led the two twin cell of 3 &4 in morning, afternoon and night devotions. Sleeping was with one eye open because gunshots fill the air at all times and people are summarily judged through the barrel of a gun. Answering your name at odd hours is risky and mention of your name reminds of the ambulance job we do each day for fallen comrades. A room of not more than 2 Square sizes packed up by 29 to 31 suspect…heat kills, hunger kills, mental switch on and off kills and police bullets does the rest. Who will be the next to the fire? At the camp, talks of going to court are freedom itself and remanding one in prison custody was answering of prayer s from God. Every day we waited for our turn…singing to the Almighty… Abraham Blessing is mine! He delivered Paul and Silas!!!!!To the government of my country…if the activities of Awkuzu SARS is legitimatized and now acceptable, then let’s close down the prisons and save the expenditure on warders and prison welfare for better ventures. ’ – An unedited narrative by Dr Justin Nwankwo, then a PhD student/Researcher at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He was arrested and detained for 81 days and tortured at SARS Awkuzu Source: https://www.anaedoonline.ng/2020/10/14/endsars-theatre-of-pain-my-story-at-awkuzu-sars/
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Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by BENEAMATA: 10:44pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
higgs: Evil has taken over. A mass murderer rewarded with government appointment. Hard to believe bro . And the one that masterminded the killing of six innocent nigerians in Abuja has been reabsorbed into the nigerian police force with all salaries accrued during his " trial " paid in full a couple of years ago . I pity anyone who'll bear offsprings with a nigerian police personnel . Sins of the fathers . |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by idahme(m): 10:45pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
tutudesz: Abeg this story can't be real Seriously I put the blame on the commissioner of police, AIG and IG who sit down in their offices doing nothing. You are suppose to go round all stations and know what your men are doing. Just imagine some killing innocent people freely, because he is on uniform. governors should start appointing special advisers of police station searching. The stories are like horror movies, so scarry and babaric... The perpetuators of these genocides should be arrested qnd brought to book. |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by SincerePet: 10:47pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
Mgbadike80: #EndSARS: "We Drank Our Urine To Quench Thirst In SARS Cell"--SARS Victim
#EndSARS: "We drank our urine to quench thirst in SARS cell"---SARS Victim Recounts. As the ‘EndSARS’ campaign continues to sweep across the nation, a 23-year-old man has recounted his horrifying encounter with operatives of the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS), Awkuzu, in Anambra State. It was learnt that some SARS operatives had been threatening the young man and because of this, his real name is concealed. It is, however, important to note that Amnesty International is solidly behind this young man in his quest for justice. For the purpose of this write up, he would be called "Chijindu". Chijindu was arrested on February 13, 2017, in Anambra State, after he was accused of stealing a laptop. He was moved to Awkuzu SARS around 6:30pm that fateful day. He recalled that immediately he was dragged to SARS office, he was frisked and his money, N15,400, which was in his pocket, was confiscated. The policemen also allegedly collected his wristwatch, necklace and phone. He further recounted: “When the Admin officer saw me, he directed his men to go and hang me. They took me to the back of a hall and tied me with ropes. They tied my hands behind; tied my two legs and then joined the ropes in the hands and that of the legs by the back causing my chest to protrude. They had two already prepared iron stands where they used to hang people. They crossed an iron rod through the ropes and then lifted me up by the rod and hung me on the iron stand. They started using all manner of items to beat me, including machete and sticks. They inflicted injuries on me. “One of the officers, Simeon, used an exhaust pipe to hit my teeth, breaking them. I was left hanging for more than three hours. I shouted until I started vomiting blood. Another officer, Agaba, told them to bring me down; that he didn’t want to hear my cries again. When the officer left, my torturers forced a handkerchief into my mouth and tied it with a rope. I was in that state for more than two hours and then I became semi-conscious.” According to Chijindu, when Simeon came to check and noticed he had almost lost consciousness, he called their team leader, Aghaogu, who was also the second in command (2ic) of the team. Aghaogu ordered that Chijindu be brought down. Chijindu said: “They dumped me inside the interrogation hall. Simeon brought my phone, and asked me if I was the owner. I told him I bought it with my money. He took out my two SIM cards and destroyed them with his teeth. He then dropped the phone into his drawer. He told me that it was exhibit. “Aghaogu instructed them to take me to cell five, which is the worst cell in Awkuzu SARS. Those in cell five hardly eat or drink water. The next morning, they brought me out of the cell and took me to Onitsha. They forced me to go and show them where I sold phones and laptops. In Onitsha, at Emeka Offor Plaza, they arrested four persons, alleging that the four guys bought things from me. “But the truth was that I had never met any of those men in my life. They also took me to my aunt’s house in Onitsha and arrested her son. When we returned from Onitsha, they returned me to the place where they had hung me the previous day. They threatened to hang me again since I didn’t want to confess. Another officer, Peter Emiator, took a 2×2 wood and started hitting me on my two legs. He said that he would cripple me since I seemed to be stubborn. He gave me several injuries.The scars are still on my body.” He said that at a point, Aghaogu took Simeon to one corner and had a discussion with him. After the discussion, Simeon returned and without blinking, pulled out his gun and fired Chijindu’s right leg. Another officer, who witnessed the cold blooded shooting, reprimanded Simeon. “My leg started bleeding. Simeon told him that he shouldn’t worry, that they would treat me. Then they took the singlet of one of their victims and tied the bullet injury and returned me to cell five. The owner of the singlet was terribly tortured and shot in the leg and dumped in the cell without any treatment. He died the following morning as a result of the torture,” Chinjindu recalled. The following day, the person that allegedly complained that Chijindu stole his laptop, paid a visit to SARS. The suspect was brought and right in his presence, the policemen started quizzing Chijindu about the laptop. Chijindu said: “I told them that I didn’t know anything about the laptop. The complainant left and I was returned to the cell. That was the last time I heard from the complainant. He didn’t visit again. I was kept in the cell from February 13, 2017 to March 17. We were not given food except some Reverend Sisters or family members of detainees bring food. The Reverend Sister usually bring food on Thursdays and Saturdays. On March 17, there was a rumour that the Human Rights people were coming on emergency inspection of Awkuzu SARS. The policemen brought us out; we were 10 in number. They put us in bus and moved us to another of their cell in Neni.” The Commander at Neni told Chijindu and other suspects to remove their boxers, which was the only garment they had on. The suspects were left naked. The commander instructed his men to take the suspects to cell one. This cell is nicknamed, ‘condemned cell.’ Chijindu narrated: “We passed two passages and then went to a third passage, leading to the cell. After a while, the commander came to address us. He promised to speak with the OC at Awkuzu, to permit them at Neni to give us water to drink. “We waited for two days without any food or water. Then some of us started shouting from the cell, calling on them to give us water. Some of us started urinating and drinking the urine. One of the officers at Neni, nicknamed ‘Too-much-money,’ admonished us to save our strength. He said that we still had a long way to go. Because of this admonition, we shouted the more. We screamed that it was better for them to shoot and kill us, than to starve us to death. They replied that they preferred to watch us die one after the other.” When the suspects continued to cry weakly for water, the exasperated policemen allegedly teargas them into silence. The suspects started crying; they prayed for death, but death refused to come. They were brought out from their cell, and teargassed again, but this time with another kind of teargas; this one was wrapped. The policemen then locked the suspects inside, with many almost choking to death. Chijindu said: “It was terrible. All of my fellow inmates collapsed. Some were foaming from the mouth. I was the only conscious person, but the effect of the gas was bending my neck and twisting my two hands. We were in that condition for three days. On the third day, they came to check whether we were still alive. "They found that we were still breathing, although the teargas had dried almost all the water in our system, making us weaker. They washed the cells and applied some substances after which they returned all suspects to cells.” All this while, the suspects were yet to be given water. Chijindu said that they continued to beg for water, but there was no succor. The Station Officer (SO) asked if any of the suspect came to the world with any cloth, they responded no. He then asked them if they would go with any cloth when they died, they also responded no. He then left them without saying another word. Chijindu noted: “It was then we realized that it was a death sentence.” He continued: “After that week, one of us, Ifeanyi, was bailed, leaving nine of us behind. Before the end of that second week, four, among us died; Okechukwu, Uchenna, Uchechukwu and Chinedu. Their corpses were left with us in the cell until the policemen were ready to evacuate them.” Chijindu further revealed that on the third week, three persons died; Ngirima, Victor Azubuike and Ojoto. Two among the corpses were moved after a full day in the cell with the suspects, while Ojoto’s corpse was left in the cell with the suspects for three days before it was evacuated. Chijindu said that the corpse Ojoto was already decomposing before it was removed. “When the policemen were taking Ojoto’s remains away, I heard them saying, “this one don rotten; no need to carry go Akwuzu, make we bury am for here”. I managed with the little energy left in me to stretch and peep through our tiny window. I watched and saw how they buried Ojoto beside a soak- away-pit at the back of their office there in Neni,” said Chijindu. On Easter Sunday, one of the officers came to attend to suspects in the cells. He told the suspects that their commander would celebrate Easter for them. Alas, nothing was given to them. The following day, which was Easter Monday, while Chidinju was praying, he heard Tochukwu give up his last breath . The suspects alerted the policemen and Tochukwu’s corpse was moved. But before Tochukwu died, two new suspects had joined them in the cell. They are Ifeanyi Mba and Ekene Nwoke. They were both transferred from Akwuzu. When Tochukwu died, Ifeanyi and Ekene started crying. A week after the death of Tochukwu, there were moves to bail one of the new suspects, Chinjidu secretly handed him a piece of paper. The paper contained non-inked written information on how to locate his sister and the direction to his home in Nnewi which he had managed to scribble with a piece of broken broom stick. The young man fulfilled his promise; he located the home and family of Chijindu. He disclosed to them, the horror the young men were passing through in SARS detention facilities. Chijindu family contacted some Human Right activists. It was discovered that Chijindu family members didn’t know he was in detention. They had been looking for him, almost about to declare him missing. Chijindu family and the activists started making frantic efforts to get him out. They were further worried after hearing that he had a gunshot wound on his leg, which was festering. Chijindu said: “The Human Rights people went to Awkuzu and asked after me, the OC SARS called the Station Officer in Neni, who was behind our cell taking his call. The OC reprimanded the commander for allowing us to survive. I overheard their conversation because the SO's phone was on speaker. The OC accused them of giving us food, an accusation which the SO denied. Then the SO and his men brought all of us out and started flogging us. They were mad at me. They searched everywhere, looking for writing materials or phone, with which I communicated to the outside world. They couldn’t find anything. They threatened to bring me out and “finish” me. On April 24, 2017, around 9:30pm, some policemen came to Neni and took me to Awkuzu. “The following day, which was a Tuesday, policemen brought me out to the see the OC SARS. The OC asked me if I was Chijindu, I said yes. He openly expressed shock that I survived Neni. The OC then asked me whether I had eaten anything, I said no. He asked me what I wanted to eat, I told him that I wanted liquid as I found it very difficult to swallow. He asked them to go and get me tea with bread. The following day they took me to Magistrate’s Court at Nteje.” When Chijindu was arraigned, it was discovered that there was no complainant, no witness. He also didn’t have legal representation. The police charged him for armed robbery. The Magistrate referred the case to High court. The New Telegraph Newspaper, had earlier chronicled an award winning piece on the killings of suspects and other atrocities committed by SARS men across Nigeria. The chronicle was recognized and applauded by the Wole Soyinka Centre of Investigative Journalism. The atrocities in SARS had spanned many Inspectors-Generals of Police, but it is on record, that former IGP, Solomon Arase rose against such horrendous activities. It was also during his administration that some SARS men were dismissed for killing detainees and other shocking acts. Immediately Arase left office, the Force went back to its old ways of flagrant impunity. An Amnesty International Nigeria spokesperson, Mr Damian Ugwu, reacting to those support SARS activities, said: “It was disheartening to see pictures of young man and women in Port Harcourt and Abuja, carrying banners in support of SARS. I often wonder how far some Nigerians are willing to go to survive. Most worrisome is that some people who claimed to represent Anambra State were also part of the charade. For the record Anambra State is the home of SARS Awkuzu.” According to Amnesty International, detainees were subjected to “horrific torture methods, including hanging, starvation, beatings, shootings and mock executions, at the hands of corrupt SARS officers. Ugwu, said: “A police unit created to protect the people has instead become a danger to society, torturing its victims with complete impunity while fomenting a toxic climate of fear and corruption. Our research has uncovered a pattern of ruthless human rights violations where victims are arrested and tortured until they either make a ‘confession’ or pay officers a bribe to be released. Most of the time, huge amounts ranging from N100,000 to even N500,000 was paid to secure the release of some of those detained. Failure to meet such huge financial demands meant imminent death while in detention. The SARS officers are getting rich through their brutality because as you can see, it seems that torture has become a lucrative business.” Amnesty International said it found 130 detainees living in overcrowded cells at a SARS detention in Abuja known as the ‘Abattoir’. Investigation has showed that people detained by SARS, are often not allowed access to a lawyer, a doctor or family members while in incarceration. Yet in various cases where victims of police torture or other ill-treatment attempted to seek justice, the authorities took no action. “It is time for the authorities to ensure that officers responsible for such human rights violations are finally held accountable. There is also an urgent need for robust legislation that ensures all acts of torture are offences under Nigeria’s criminal law,” said Ugwu. The Police Public Relation Officer (FPRO), Jimoh Moshood, has dismissed allegations of torture and crimes leveled against SARS. SARS was established by the Nigeria police to tackle armed robberies. On December 2, Nigerians took to the social media to condemn impunity among SARS operatives. One of those who shared their experiences is Chijindu. Moshood told Nigerians to be wary of their use of social media saying the #EndSARS was started by someone with an ulterior motive. He said the social media was porous and users should be cautious. His words: “Somebody who has an ulterior motive put up the hashtag and said #EndSARS now. Nigerians should be mindful because the social media is very porous. What is the cause of the outcry in the first place? This was why the IGP was concerned about the cause of the outcry. People should be mindful of the intention of the person that put up the hashtag that people are falling into it.” According to him, SARS has been in operation for over 40 years and those calling for a scrap of the squad should disabuse their minds as they are performing their duties well. Speaking concerning complaints and allegations by some social media users of being brutalized by SARS, Moshood said Nigerians should report complains about the operations of SARS. He said: “We’re not saying there is no infraction. If there are infraction not only in SARS personnel, even other conventional policemen that carry out other responsibility, people should report to us and it will be addressed. When you have complaints, report to us and it will be addressed. There has not been any specific violation of human rights leveled against any SARS personnel. So anybody that is spreading such a rumor is not doing the nation any good. SARS has no excesses and when there is any, we do investigate. The call for SARS to be scrapped should be condemned by all well- meaning Nigerians.” the Police spokesman said. SOURCE: https://web.facebook.com/ AnambraOnline/ posts/1493588180719445
https://www.nairaland.com/4239124/endsars-drank-urine-quench-thirst#63375277 Different but similar stories from different people. Cell 5 in Awkuzu Sars,what a hell. Somebody told me a similar story on his ordeal in same Awkuzu Sars. Very terrible. |
Re: James Nwafor & The Armageddon Called The Awkuzu SARS: An Eye Witness Account by gariepinus: 10:48pm On Oct 16, 2020 |
James Nwafor is a most deadliest evil man who Hail's from Ebonyi state in Ezza land....this man called James Nwafor murdered a lot of youths in Anambra in cold blood... He deal on human parts.. James Nwafor must die shameful death for killing innocent people... The blood of innocent youths murdered in cold blood by this Ebonyi man must back fire....James kills innocent young people and Bragg's about.....Atrocities committed in Anambra state under the custody of this murderer called James Nwafor who happened to be the OC SARS is bleeding... Nwafor James must die.... If not the blood of innocent youths wasted in cold blood by this useless Ezza man will never rest...James is an evil man...pls Anambra youth should work for the prosecution of this devil... 4 Likes
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