Police authorities squeeze officer who allegedly raped woman for not wearing facemask

Borno police parade 45 Boko Haram terrorists

By PAUL ADAJI –

The Rivers State Police are questioning a police officer who allegedly raped a 23-year-old lady arrested for not wearing a face mask.

The lady was reportedly traveling from Bori to Eleme when their vehicle was stopped by the police at a checkpoint.

She was directed to alight and delayed till evening because she didn’t wear a nose mask.

In a complaint filed with the police, the alleged victim accused an Inspector of taking her to a guest house at gunpoint where he raped her till daybreak.

According to a text message she sent to a radio station based in Rivers State, the officer also prevented her from communicating with anyone.

The text message from the lady sent before the alleged rape reads: “Dear, I am dying here. I have been taken to a guesthouse just because of the face mask of N100.

“I can’t believe this is happening to me. He wants to sleep with me. I am dying. He didn’t let me answer any call. He threatened to seize my phone.”

Human rights defender, Prince Wiro, condemned the action, also charged the Police Command in Rivers State to investigate and prosecute its personnel accused of raping a woman for breach of COVID-19 protocol.

“There is no justification for the punishment of rape to be meted out to a woman because she flouted a state order on the use of nose masks. I expect the police to take this matter seriously,” he said.

Police authorities in Rivers State moved swiftly. apparently to avert public backlash by rounding up the fingered policeman and his team.

The woman too was brought before the press on Thursday along with the men.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), newly promoted Superintendent of Police, Nnamdi Omoni, personally questioned both parties.

The mopol man denied rape accusations, saying it was by mutual consent.

The command also clarified that it was the Saakpenwa Police station team that was involved and not men of MOPOL 53 in the area.

Rivers Commissioner of Police, Joseph Makum, ordered a full investigation and moved the matter to the state CID on Moscow Road for proper action.

He promised to follow the matter to what the PPRO called logical conclusion.

Since the outbreak of the Chima killing and the Ikokwu 5, the police in Rivers State have been under pressure on public-interest crimes and infractions.

(With additional report by africafeeds.com)