What should have been a routine journey to visit his wife and children turned into a nightmare, one that would test his faith in justice and humanity.
“My name is Inspector Patrick, and my AP number is 231713. My last posting was at the Omuma Police Divisional Headquarters in Orlu East, Orlu,” he began, his voice trembling as he recounted the fateful day.
“I was arrested in Ihiala by Ebubeagu while on my way home to see my wife and six children. I had no idea that Ebubeagu had been attacked by gunmen and had left the area.”
Patrick’s voice became heavy with emotion as he explained how the simple act of walking home led to his ordeal.
“I hadn’t seen any motorbikes, so I decided to walk. As I approached the Ebubeagu operatives, they asked where I worked. I told them I was a policeman, stationed at Omuma division. They immediately became suspicious, claiming anyone passing by at that time must be involved in the attack.”
Despite showing his police identification, Patrick’s situation only worsened. His voice faltered as he described the brutal treatment he endured.
“I was beaten, shackled, and tortured with knives, all while showing them my identification. The pain was unimaginable,” he said.
His ordeal continued even after a Nigerian Army officer, Captain Idris, intervened on his behalf.
“After being tortured, they took me to a police station where I was detained. Even though my superior confirmed my identity, I was still chained and thrown into a cell, where I would spend days in agony,” he said.
What followed was a gruelling eight days of unlawful detention, followed by months of mistreatment. Patrick’s voice cracked as he recalled how his case was shuffled from one authority to another, with no one willing to take responsibility.
“The DCO in Uli, someone who should have helped, told me I had bad luck and that I might have been better off dead,” he said, the bitterness of the experience evident in his tone.
His journey through the system was a lonely one, filled with injustice at every turn.
“I spent 11 months and three weeks in the Awka cell,” Patrick continued, his eyes welling up with tears as he remembered the cruelty he faced from fellow officers. “My IPO, Inspector Chidi, was known to be the cruellest in Anambra. He even told me to prepare for prison, claiming I wouldn’t be the first cop to end up there.”
Even after being cleared of all charges, Patrick’s suffering continued. He was denied his rightful salary, with over 20 months of unpaid wages still owed to him.
“Instead of receiving my full 12 months’ salary, I was paid only one month. To this day, I’ve not got the rest,” he said, his voice filled with frustration.
“Whenever I look at my legs, I curse the very day I joined the Nigerian police because I suffered for them for 23 years. The payback is to suspect me of being an IPOB member.”
IPOB, or Indigenous People of Biafra, is a proscribed separatist group led by Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention since June 2021.
“I met 11 policemen in the cell who were accused of being IPOB members. However, only I ended up surviving and being discharged,” he said.
“I have gone to the police authorities to explain to them. Like the former police commissioner, Anas, said, there was a time when my signal came to his table.
“When I met the OC MSS, he said, first of all, I should go back to Awka and get the judgment. On getting to Awka, the OC Provost was demanding N100,000 from me. I told him I had N700 left with me and I was even thinking of how I could go back to Owerri, so he said I should write a letter to the commissioner of police through the DFA, that I should apply for orderly room proceedings that I wanted to collect the judgement.”
Throughout his time in custody, Patrick’s physical health deteriorated.
“I contracted an infection that has affected my legs,” he said quietly, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. Yet, despite his suffering, his focus remained on his family.
“I have six children, and one of them is critically ill. I don’t have the means to provide the necessary treatment,” he said.
Patrick’s plea for justice is not just about seeking compensation for his wrongful detention; it is a call for the authorities to show compassion and for his story to be heard.
“I appeal to the Inspector General of Police to look upon me with compassion,” he said, his voice breaking. “I have suffered enough. My situation is dire, and my family is in desperate need of support.”
Inspector Patrick’s story is a stark reminder of the hardships faced by those who serve in law enforcement, as well as the deep flaws within the system meant to protect them.
