Nigerians at home and abroad have called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, to investigate and bring to book the three policemen from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, of the Area ‘G’ Command, Ogba, Lagos, who allegedly raped Queen Okoye when she went to solicit for support to recover the money her boyfriend borrowed from her.
They want the policemen to be identified and sacked from the police force to serve as a deterrent to others. Others are asking for healthcare for the woman involved.
Mr. Suberu Hakeem wrote: “my people, we are really at the mercy of these hungry people who take advantage of the poor citizens. For crying out loud the culprits should be brought to book and dealt with accordingly .”
On his own part, Eniola Afolabi said: “this incident is unfortunate and uncalled for. The policemen should be brought to book and justice should be rendered.”
Adoyi Peters, in his reaction, condemned the act.
“When will all these abuses and violations of human rights come to an end? Torture, rape and extra judicial killings by police officers who are paid to enforce the law are increasing daily,” he stated.
“I wonder if the law exempts police personnel from prosecution. It’s high time the perpetrators of these evil acts were brought to book. May God continue to protect us from the hands of these bad eggs in the Nigeria Police Force,” he added.
Eugene Abels, in his opinion, reminds the police force that it is being funded by tax payers’ money.
“Let us call the DPO, Commissioner, Inspector-General, and the Police Service Commission to order. That’s why they are being funded by tax payers. An outcry will force them to be accountable,” he said.
Helen Gbemisola Ogundimu is one of those calling for proper healthcare for the woman. In her reaction, she wrote that: “Queen Okoye needs to be tested for HIV and other STDs and treated for post traumatic stress disorder,PTSD. About the pregnancy, I think she should keep it and a DNA needs to be conducted to identify the person responsible out of the three policemen. This will help in the investigation.”
The lady had stormed the entrance of the command, last Saturday, stripped herself to the pant and bra, chanting incantations with a pigeon against the police rapists whom she said she could identify if they were paraded. Meanwhile, the Area Commander said he has set up an investigation panel into the scandal. When P.M.News again called on the Area Commander, Mr. Mobolaji Odesanya, who had earlier said he was not aware of the incident, he said has already started looking into the case.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), who said he got a report that a mad woman came to the command’s gate, promised that she would be given fair hearing if she reports to him. Mr. Odesanya said he had already set up an investigative panel to look into the lady’s allegation, using this forum to invite the lady to his office.
“I had told you earlier that if truly she was raped by policemen, she should come over here and I will tell all my men to fall-in, so that she can identify those who raped her. I must, however, tell you that reports reaching me are that she was a constant visitor to some soldiers who are camped in our premises, but I believe in fair hearing and justice, so let her come and state her grievances,” the Area ‘G’ Commander said. He disclosed that pending the appearance of Miss Queen Okoye, his men had already commenced investigation into the matter.
