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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Court filings further alleged that over 90 people were arrested during the operation without due process.
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.
Justice Yilwa Hauwa Joseph has adjourned the matter till September 25, 2026, for hearing.
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.