Two lovers preparing for their wedding, Vershima Mker and Lami Jennifer, have accused Major General G.S. Mohammed and Corporal A. Abubakar among others of assaulting them during a visit to some relatives in the Gwarinpa area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The lovers, both university graduates, claimed they were beaten, injured, and unlawfully detained without committing any offence.
According to their lawyer, Tom Uja, the incident occurred while the intending couple was driving along the 3rd Avenue in Gwarinpa, Abuja.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, Uja said part of their marital preparations took them to the location, adding that the lovers tried to make way for the general’s convoy but couldn’t because of the roadside traders.
He said, “Part of their marital arrangements took them to Gwarinpa. As they were driving out along the 3rd Avenue, this general and his convoy were behind them. As soon as they heard the sound of the siren, they trafficated to the right to park.
“But, some roadside vendors were selling many things, so they needed to go past them. This was within seconds before they would park. As soon as they drove past the three or four roadside sellers, they parked their vehicle.
The general and his convoy now overtook them and went and blocked them. His anger was that they didn’t park immediately when they heard the siren. Without waiting for any explanation, they descended into beating the young man’s eye.”
The lawyer further alleged that the military officers beat the about-to-wed couple, inflicted injuries, handcuffed them and put them in their boot.
Uja added, “They handcuffed them after beating them. They put them inside the boot of one of their cars and took them to the police station. The DPO had to call the General when the man was crying in pain and needed treatment. The lady also suffered a fracture on his hand as a result of the incident.
“They were made to write an apology letter to the general under duress before they were allowed to go on bail. As I speak, doctors are battling to save that eye. After my petition was sent, the general has been threatening my clients.”
The lovers, however, are demanding the immediate dismissal of the officers involved and N150 million in damages as compensation for the physical and emotional harm inflicted on them.
“We demand for the immediate dismissal of Major General G.S. Mohammed and Corporal A. Abubakar and the sum of N150 million for their inhuman treatment of our clients by beating, subjecting them to abuse, wounding and causing them to be detained at the Police without they committing any known crime,” the petition dated November 11 and addressed to the Acting Chief of Army Staff partly read.
When contacted on Tuesday, the Director Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed the incident saying the acting Chief of Army Staff had ordered an investigation into the matter.
He said, “The acting Chief of Army Staff has directed that the incident be investigated.”
