Sophia Michaels
Some policemen in Rivers state have converted cars and money belonging to late Jabila Kammangar, an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to personal use.
This is according to a report by Sahara Reporters.
It was gathered that Kammangar was tortured to death in the police custody of the command.
His death came a few days after he was arrested and paraded by the Rivers State Police Command for alleged armed robbery, hijacking of food trucks and diverting them to other locations.
The spokesperson for the Command, Grace Iringe-Koko had stated that the deceased and four soldiers identified as West Isaac, Abdul Musa, Mgbe Geoffrey, Innocent Okwoli were arrested on May 25, 2024, following a tip-off from a reliable source.
While in detention, the police allegedly denied him access to relatives until his death last week, a source had told SaharaReporters.
Another source added that the NSCDC operative died in the cell as a result of torture.
“He was really beaten by the policemen, tortured and forced to confess to the crime,” the source had added.
SaharaReporters learnt that after his arrest, some policemen went to search the late Kammangar’s house for exhibits.
After the search, two cars and cash were taken away by the investigative team but were converted.
A police source identified the officers involved as CSP Bello, Inspector Andrew and Inspector Chimize.
They were said to have taken away the cars and cash from the house of the deceased but refused to hand them over as exhibits to the police authorities.
“Sadly, some of our officers involved in this case should be investigated. CSP Bello, Inspector Andrew and Inspector Chimize are criminals just like these suspects. They have a lot to say about the NSCDC officer’s death in custody,” a policeman at the Rivers State Command headquarters told SaharaReporters.
“They took his money and cars from his house while they went to search it. But these stuffs taken can’t be found anywhere, they didn’t bring them to the station nor return them to his family. These officers converted these properties recovered from the suspect and others to personal use, is that not stealing? They have sold some as well.
“They also shot two innocent civilians, this is not the police force Nigerians want.”
Calls put across to the Rivers State command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko were not picked nor returned.
Text message sent to her line since Tuesday morning was yet to be replied as of the time of this report.
