Soldier demoted, jailed 28 days for torturing policeman

Public interest and human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has expressed delight over a public clamour for justice five months after he raised the alarm.

Effiong had on January 12 petitioned the Army Chief, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja over a police officer tortured by soldiers in Asaba, Delta State over allegations of “wrong parking.”

According to him, the torture of Edet Inyang by an unidentified group of Army personnel occurred on December 9, 2023, at a store close to the Nigerian Army’s 63 Brigade in Asaba, Delta State, where the policeman had gone to purchase some items for his personal use.

Taking to his verified X account on Thursday, the lawyer expressed delight that justice was served and noted that the fight for human rights must continue.

He wrote, “In January this year, I petitioned the Chief of Army Staff over the torture of a serving police officer (ASP Edet Inwang) by men of the Nigerian Army in Asaba, Delta State over allegation of ‘wrong parking’.

“The policeman was tortured till he lost consciousness and had to be revived at a military hospital.

“Today, I was notified that the main culprit was tried and found guilty and that he has been demoted and sentenced to 28 days imprisonment with hard labour.

“The battle for respect for human rights must continue.”

In the shared post by Effiong, there are accompanying videos showing the police officer while receiving treatment.