NSCDC commandant in Imo accuses policemen of assaulting him

The Commandant of the Nigeria Safety and Civil Defence Corps in Imo State, Michael Ogar, has accused males of the Imo state police command of attacking NSCDC headquarters in Owerri and assaulting him while in their workplace.

Addressing journalists at this time April 26, Ogar stated some policemen allegedly invaded the NSCDC headquarters in Owerri, on Monday night, April 25, and made away with telephones, damaged his official car, and confiscated exhibits belonging to his Command.

He claimed that the police assault on the NSCDC headquarters was sequel to a policeman, one Nonso Ezenwanne, who obstructed his convoy on Sunday in Owerri, while getting back from the scene of oil explosion at a Forest in Abaezi neighborhood in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state.

Ogar stated that the cop was detained as a result of he claimed to be a policeman, however with a number of identification cards.

“My personnel had an altercation with Ezenwanne following the disruption of my motorcade while coming back from the scene of the inferno at an unlawful oil bunkering site in the state on Sunday.

As if, that wasn’t sufficient, he trailed us to Owerri and blocked my motorcade once more and brought out a pistol threatening to shoot us, however he was later disarmed and arrested.

I had reached out to the former acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Giwa, to identify the suspect, which is the norm, but it yielded no consequence as he stated he had been transferred to Kaduna. We didn’t see anybody to identify him.

It was on my approach to see MOPOL 18 Commander, nearly 10 meters away from the NSCDC workplace, that I noticed eight autos that blocked me and began shooting into the air and my automobile.

They dragged me out, flogged and battered me, and later took me to their Command the place they continued to beat me with sticks and baton,” the Commandant stated.

Ogar added that after about three hours, an Assistant Commissioner of Police in control of operations later came to his rescue and took him home.

“I came again to my workplace to see the extent of harm caused and then realised that two of my personnel got bullet injuries and have been receiving therapy in hospital. Some items were additionally missing from the office.

They accepted that the objects have been in their custody and that the matter shall be resolved immediately.

I advised them that this incident is a shame to security agencies; I was shocked. I don’t think we’re here to flex muscles or pursue work ego however to defend our fatherland.

I was extremely dissatisfied and embarrassed by the motion of MOPOL 18,” Ogar stated

NSCDC Head of Operations, Deputy Commandant Benjamin Nwaokafor, who received gunshot wounds on his leg and hand is presently receiving remedy at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri