I was arrested when I went to complain of a break-in at my premises on April 19, 2022, by unknown gunmen. I had complained earlier on February 12, 2022, to the same Agbor Police Command.

At night, on April 19, 2022, Agbor Police Officers asked me to come out of the holding cell. I was worried because they’re known to execute suspects without putting them through trial. I came out and was transferred to another cell with 2 guys who were making comments about the attack on my premises that day.

I was transferred to Asaba on April 20, 2022. I was tortured by Officer Blessing Edosa and Onyeama Nwojigba on arrival. They used a black stick to torture me.

I was placed in a dark, congested cell where the inmates attacked me in the darkness. I stood my ground, and the other inmates in the well-lit area intervened and took me out to prevent further conflict.

On one of the nights from April 20, 2022 to May 24, 2022, Officer Blessing Edosa came to me in the cell and told me that i should follow her. I agreed but she said i cannot be clothed. I argued with her but she insisted that it was a privilege for me to be allowed to wear clothes in the cell. I took my trouser off and followed her. I thought she was transferring me to another cell but i was conscious that Police in Nigeria executes suspects without trial. I’d proven my innocence to her and the other officers so i was less worried.

I was brought to two senior officers and a junior officer who held a flashlight at me. I was in my underwear (boxer shorts and shirt) in the cold shivering like Black Sherif described in his song Soja. I asked why and what they wanted. They gave no clear answer and returned me to the cell after some time. I was told lots of people have been invited out of their cells at night and never returned.

The Police at Delta State Police Command do not help sick or dying suspects. I was asked not to help them either. I did what I could when I saw someone sick or in need of help. A common tip at Delta State Police Command cells was that if you want to feign sickness, you should get Andrews liver salts and put it in your mouth and the fumes would make it seem like the person was dying. I suspect the Police are aware of this trick and consider anyone dying to be playing a trick on them. This is wrong as we cannot ignore those who truly need help because of trickery.

I ask the IGP to train Police officers to take every medical emergency seriously and allow the doctors to determine the severity of the situation rather than ignore sick suspects because of the tricks played by a few.