Barber Loses Eye to Tear Gas, Hits Abuja Police With N1bn Suit

A barber, Abraham Emmanuel, has dragged the Nigeria Police Force and the DPO of Bwari Division, CSP Babayola Muhammad Musa, before a Federal High Court in Abuja after losing his left eye during a police operation on New Year’s Eve.
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‎In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/256/2026, Emmanuel claimed he was hit by a tear gas canister allegedly fired by police officers during crossover operations in Bwari Area Council of the FCT on December 31, 2025.
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‎According to court documents, the incident happened in front of his father’s house along Sabon Gari Road, where officers fired tear gas and gunshots into the air during a raid targeting churchgoers, fun seekers, and shop owners celebrating the New Year.
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‎The applicant, through his lawyer Anthony Idanosi Eruaga, argued that he committed no offence before the incident that reportedly left him permanently blind in one eye.
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‎Emmanuel is asking the court to declare the police action unlawful and is demanding N1 billion in damages for alleged violations of his fundamental rights. He also wants a written apology from the Nigeria Police Force and the DPO.
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‎Court filings further alleged that over 90 people were arrested during the operation without due process.
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‎The case, filed under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules, also accused the police of violating Emmanuel’s rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement.
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‎Justice Yilwa Hauwa Joseph has adjourned the matter till September 25, 2026, for hearing.
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‎Meanwhile, President of Springs Aid Foundation, Comrade Chima Kenneth Emeka, criticised the police for allegedly ignoring multiple petitions written to the Commissioner of Police, the Police Service Commission, and the Inspector-General of Police over the matter.
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