Members of the Islamic Movement said it has filed a suit against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) over allegation bordering on unlawful detention of its member, Yahuza Haruna Masaka, six months after his arrest.
The Secretary of Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement, Abdullahi Muhammad Musa, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Abdullahi said the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/807/2021 and filed on August 3rd, 2021, is presently before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court, Abuja.
“Strange and unprofessional, the FCT Police Command whisked a free-Zakzaky protester by the name of Yahuza Haruna Masaka off to an undisclosed location and detention facility since Friday, the 7th of May, 2021 around 1430 hours.
“Six months on, the kidnapped protester has not been heard of, nor his family allowed access to him. This unbecoming act of the police is worth the attention of the public,” he said.
Narrating how the event occurred, Musa said Yahuza Haruna arrived at Wuse, Zone 3, to give his younger sister (Rahma Salihu) bus fare.
“On his arrival, he saw her in a Toyota Coaster bus and moved closer to talk to her.
“Unknown to him, the bus, together with the people on board, had been arrested by the police.
“As they caught sight of him talking to his female sibling, the police descended on him with beating and whatnot.
“The bus, with the 62 people already under the so-called arrest, was moved off to the Eagle Square,” he said.
According to him, at that point in time, Yahuza was handed over to the patrol team in a Hilux Van.
“At the Eagle Square, the police tortured them inhumanly, even using electric shocks which led to the sudden and unfortunate death of Naziru Mu’azu from Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State; and 44 people sustained varying degrees of critical injuries.
“Are not civil protests and religious processions part of the fundamental rights of citizens?
“In a manner not befitting a police profession and those engaged in it, they accosted and arrested underage (male and female) and passers-by that were not even protesting.
“Police trampling upon citizens’ human rights is uncomely and untoward,” he added.
Musa said though Yahuza’s younger sister, Rahma Salihu, was taken to Anti-Vice Unit of the police, Wuse Zone 2, she was later released on the same day.
“For the past 6 months, all efforts to locate Yahuza Haruna has been abortive, to no avail.
“Abduction has grown rife in this part of the world, but it is all sad and disastrous for the police to behave in this way.
“Where are the codes of practice and behaviour? Or, have police operatives cast caution to the winds and dived into part of what they had been employed to contain?” he asked.
According to him, due to unprofessional response from the FCT Police Command on the matter, we filed a fundamental right enforcement suit at Federal High Court against Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation on the 3rd of August, 2021.
“The number of the suit is FHC/ABJ/CS/807/2021 and the case is before Hon. Justice Obiora A. Egwuatu.
“While waiting for the mentioning of the case, we condemn the unlawful abduction of Yahuza Haruna by the FCT Police and demand for his immediate and unconditional release,” he said.
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