September 12, (THEWILL) – An Ushongo-based businessman, Mr. Dominic Loko, has petitioned the Benue State Commissioner of Police (CP), Hasan Yabanet, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate the alleged attempted murder, inhuman treatment, and assault meted on his son, Paul Sughter Loko, by police operatives.
The petitioner alleged that a team of police personnel, headed by one Inspector Kito from Lessel, the headquarters of Ushongo Local Government Area, shot his son in his left hand and stomach.
In the petition copied to the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Abuja, Loko, who is a retired civil servant, alleged that on August 12, 2024, his son was in the market square drinking native liquor with some of his friends when they heard gunshots.
“In the chaos, my son’s bag, containing N14,000, a handset, and charger, fell and the police officers shooting at him picked the items,” he said.
Loko said since the action of the police has made his son, who is a father of two, incapacitated, the officers involved in the act should be compelled to take care of the victim and his family.
“The said police officers should refund the money the family has spent on medical bills, victim’s feeding and other sundry matters to serve as a deterrent,” he demanded.
While insisting that prior to the incident, his son was not declared wanted or a criminal, Look described the attempted murder as unacceptable, and called on the officers to tender an unreserved apology to the victim and the general public within a short time or face litigation.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, SP Sewuese Anene, said she had yet to receive such a report in the command.
