The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of two policemen, for allegedly subjecting a suspected robber’s girlfriend to dehumanizing treatment at the man’s house in the Ibadan area of Oyo State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, who confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday, said efforts were on to arrest another cop and a yet-to-be-identified civilian involved in the incident.
Mba, however, said the officers were on legitimate duties. The police team had been on the trail of the suspect, who was traced from Lagos to his house in Ibadan, where he was arrested.
His girlfriend, who identified herself simply as Towobola, was also arrested.
One of the policemen, identified only as Wyclef, filmed himself interrogating Towobola and the suspect.
In the undated footage of the incident posted by one Olayinka Olaonipekun on Twitter, the alleged criminal said, “I was arrested at home. People should be patient, do the right thing and follow the law.”
The lady, while wailing and pleading with Wyclef that she was unaware of the suspect’s atrocities, said she only paid him a visit on the day of the arrest.
However, Wyclef and his colleagues, including one Gboyega, made sexist remarks against the 25-year-old.
Wyclef in particular accused her of being a prostitute, as she pleaded her innocence.
“Why did you leave your former boyfriend that you are having sex with to follow an armed robber?” he demanded.
She replied, “I don’t have a boyfriend. You can check my phone. I just finished serving as a corper and collected my NYSC discharge certificate three days ago.”
Wyclef further asked, “Why did you break up with the person that deflowered you?”
She said, “He broke up with me himself because we used to fight a lot,” as the cop interjected, saying it was because she was promiscuous.
The policeman said, “If he (suspected robber) doesn’t have money and car, will you have an affair with him?”
“I do business and it is because he said he wants to buy shoes from me; please, I am begging you to stop recording me,” she replied.
She also denied Wyclef’s claim that she passed the night at the suspect’s house, saying she only visited “to assist him in cooking.”
I felt for the girl, she’s at the wrong place at that time… I pray she receive mercy