I Haven’t Seen My Son 14 Months After Outlawed SARS Took Him From Us – Man Tells Judicial Panel

Christopher Ukpuru, a distraught father of 31 years victim of police brutality, on Monday shared his painful experience in the hands of personnel of outlawed Special Anti-robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.

He spoke at the Delta State Judicial Panel of Inquiry investigating police brutality and extra-judicial killings sitting in Asaba, the state capital.

Appearing before the panel, Ukpuru gave a graphic pictures of how his son was arrested by the police and have remained incommunicado to the family since then.

According to him, his 31-year son, Counsellor, was reportedly arrested since August 8, 2019 but his whereabouts have been shrouded in mystery since then.

Giving a graphic details of what transpired, Mr. Ukpuru told the panel which began sitting on Monday that he received a call while at work, that his son was arrested, and that he quickly took permission from work to locate the police station he was being held.

He said that after he was informed, he went round all stations in Asaba but could not find his son, adding that when he went back to “A” Division, a friend of his who is a police officer confirmed that the son was indeed arrested.

Ukpuru, further informed the panel that the police officer friend who pleaded to have his identity concealed, refused to disclose his son’s whereabouts.

According to him, since then, he has neither seen nor heard from his arrested son, insisting that his son has never be involved in any criminal act since he was born over three decades ago.

Ukpuru spoke under oath during cross examination by his counsel Mr. Inang who made oral application for the panel to subpoena the said police officer friend at “A” Division with a view to eliciting more information from him.

Meanwhile, before adjourning further hearing on the petition to November 10 and subsequently adjourning proceeding of the panel to November 4, the panel chairman, Justice Celestina Ogisi (rtd.), in her inaugural address, said the panel was constituted to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality or related extra-judicial killings committed within Delta State with a view to ascertaining their validity or otherwise.

Ogisi added that the panel which has a period of three months for the assignment, would also recommend compensation or other remedies appropriate for each case.