In a shocking turn of events, a deaf man named Ikpeasan Abaga and three other victims of a hooligan attack in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State were arrested and detained by the police. The incident, which occurred on December 12, 2024, saw the victims assaulted by hooligans protesting over territorial boundaries and community names at Barikin-lissa.
The victims, including Kuru Adamu, Micah Lena, and Ikpe Bako, sustained varying degrees of injuries from machetes and clubs. Despite being the victims, they were arrested by the police and allegedly extorted for N300,000 as bail money. The payment was made to ASP Mure Audu Eric through a combination of cash and wire transfers.
Douglas Abaga, an engineer and brother of the deaf victim, recounted the harrowing experience, stating that his brother was on a routine immunization when the hoodlums attacked him, leaving him unconscious for about 24 hours. The divisional police headquarters in Takum initially responded by arresting several perpetrators, while others fled across the border into the Republic of Cameroon.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn when key local figures, including the paramount ruler of the area, Barr. Sopiya Ahmadu Gboshi, and the state lawmaker from Takum II, John Lamba, intervened, requesting an out-of-court settlement. The police agreed, and the rioters were to take full responsibility for all properties destroyed and pay compensations accordingly.
Despite the agreement, armed personnel from the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) bypassed the Takum Police Division and forcibly took the victims, including the ailing deaf man, into detention. The councillor who helped mediate the peace settlement was also arrested. The victims had to pay N300,000 to be released.
The spokesperson for the Police Command in Taraba State, SP Usman Abdullahi, confirmed the arrests but denied knowledge of any monetary transactions. This incident highlights the ongoing issues of police abuse of power and corruption in Nigeria, leaving citizens uncertain about how to seek justice.
