Rights Group Demand Probe As Police Operation In Bwari Leaves Residents Injured, One Dead

…NSA, FCT Police Commissioner, Others Receive Petition Over Alleged Brutality, Extortion

Fresh allegations of police brutality and human rights violations have emerged against the Divisional Police Officer of Bwari Division, CSP Babayola Musa, following a New Year operation in Abuja that allegedly left civilians injured, detained, extorted, and one person confirmed dead.

The allegations are contained in a petition dated 6 January 2026 and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, by the President of Springs Aid Foundation, Comrade Kenneth Chima.

THE WHISTLER obtained a copy of the petition on Sunday, which was acknowledged by the Command.

Also copied were the National Security Adviser, the Police Service Commission, and the Inspector-General of Police.

According to the petition, the incidents occurred on 31 December 2025 during crossover night celebrations in Bwari, when police operatives carried out what the foundation described as a violent raid that led to the arrest of civilians, including churchgoers, business owners, and residents celebrating the New Year.

“On 31st December 2025, during the crossover night to the New Year, CSP Babayola orchestrated a brutal night raid that involved the indiscriminate arrest of innocent churchgoers, fun seekers, and shop owners.

“Over 90 individuals were arrested amid a terrifying display of violence, including gunfire and the deployment of tear gas, which created a chaotic and dangerous environment.”

The petition alleged that the DPO personally led armed officers who fired live rounds and tear gas canisters into the air to disperse civilians, creating panic across the area.

One of the victims, Mr. Abraham Emmanuel, reportedly sustained a severe facial injury after being hit by a tear gas canister, resulting in heavy bleeding and emergency medical attention at Gabic Hospital, Bwari.

Video evidence seen by THE WHISTLER showed Emmanuel undergoing stitches on his left eye, while a subsequent recording showed him with the eye bandaged and holding the canister allegedly fired at him.

Recounting the incident, Emmanuel’s friend said, “We were sitting in the premises of our house, on the early hours of January 1, 2026. The next thing we saw was a parked armoured car, then the DPO came down from the armoured car, knelt and aimed at us who were sitting, unfortunately the teargas canister hit him.

“This is the condition they have put him and he has lost one of his eyes.”

Emmanuel confirmed that he later underwent surgery at the Asokoro General Hospital.

He said, “I did my eye operation at the Asokoro General Hospital, and they told me to return January 8, 2026.”

Springs Aid Foundation described the incident as a violation of fundamental human rights and a breach of responsible firearms handling under national and international standards.

Business Owner Arrested, Assaulted

The petition further detailed the alleged assault and detention of Mr. Thompson Edeh, identified as the Chief Executive Officer of BenPenny Games.

Edeh was said to be at his business premises around 10 pm when armed officers arrived, firing gunshots into the air.

When he questioned the harassment of his customers, the petition claims that CSP Babayola ordered his arrest, despite Edeh identifying himself as the premises owner and a member of the Police Community Relations Committee.

The foundation alleged that Edeh was beaten in the presence of staff and customers, sustained injuries to his limbs, and had his mobile phones seized. He was reportedly detained at Bwari Police Station until the following day.

The petition further stated that Mr. Chidiebere Ogenyi, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, was assaulted after attempting to intervene during Edeh’s arrest. He reportedly sustained a swollen eye and was forced into a police vehicle alongside Edeh.

THE WHISTLER also learned that a petty trader popularly known as Zulezu, who sold sachet water in the area, died following the operation.

Chima said, “There’s another victim popularly called Zulezu, who sells purewater. We learnt that while he was running, he fell and hit his chest on a slab.

“From that impact, he was rushed to the hospital, then transferred to the village where he died. This is confirmed.”

He further alleged uncertainty surrounding another victim.

“I also discovered that a victim, Mr. Betafieu was shot in the neck, and was rushed to the general hospital. He came to Abuja, from Katsina, due to some issues, he was moved back to Katsina, according to an unverified rumour, they said he is dead.”

Beyond physical violence, the petition accused officers at the Bwari Division of extorting detainees and their families under the guise of bail from the early hours of 1 January 2026.

Chima told THE WHISTLER that while attempting to secure the release of four individuals, he discovered that more than 90 people had been arrested and divided into groups based on profiling.

“After I received a call from Abraham, I decided to track the victims, and I discovered that over 100 were arrested, and separated into two groups.”

He alleged that detainees perceived as financially capable were subjected to higher bail demands.

“If you look fresh, you will be grouped in the black list, and Corporal Hamza Muhammed is in charge of dealing with this group.”

Chima further claimed that negotiations were handled by specific officers, with payments allegedly ranging from N12,000 to N150,000 depending on profiling.

“The division was like a market. They go out in the disguise of a raid, arrest people, assault them and coerce them into extortion.”

Receipts of alleged electronic transfers to Corporal Hamza, dated 1 January 2026, were cited in the petition as evidence.

According to the document, the transactions were carried out via Opay and recorded at different times on the same day, including 19:33:52, 19:53:42, and 19:59:15.

The receipts reportedly showed payments processed through the “Owealth” option, with amounts ranging between N12,000, N38,000, and N20,000 respectively.

The Foundation described the transactions as proof of a coordinated system of extortion allegedly carried out within the division during and after the New Year operation.

Chima stated that following public outcry and documentation of the incidents, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, contacted the Foundation.

According to him, the Commissioner expressed sympathy with the victims and directed that the matter be referred to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Aliyu. The engagement reportedly took place on 7 January 2026.

Speaking on the meeting held with police authorities, Chima said the DPO was invited and appeared with religious and community figures.

“Musa was invited and accompanied by the CAN President and an imposter identified as Papa Adini who claimed to be a traditional ruler in Bwari. Note we have just two traditional rulers in Bwari.”

He said during the meeting, CSP Babayola Musa defended the operation by claiming it was triggered by a distress call.

“In his defence, he got a distress call that some hoodlums were attacking people, so they had to apply minimal force.”

Chima said the explanation raised further concerns when the issue of recovered exhibits was discussed.

“Then I asked him what evidence was recovered from the hoodlums and he brought in knockouts and fireworks.”

He noted that the explanation did not address the injuries sustained by civilians, including those who were not part of any street activity.

“Emmanuel’s Father asked him if he recovered any of the exhibit from his son whose eye is damaged or other victims present, and Musa replied No. Mind you, Emmanuel was seated in his house, when Musa aimed a canister at him.”

According to Chima, the police officials subsequently advised that the matter be resolved within the community, a suggestion he described as inappropriate given the gravity of the allegations.

Chima said, “They asked us to return on Tuesday January 13, and that was when I discovered they were hiding under the technicality of investigation.”

He expressed concern over what he described as delays in investigative procedures, noting that the location of the alleged abuses, identities of victims, and officers involved had already been provided.

“We expect them to have visited Bwari, carried out their investigations, we provided names, humans with identities and addresses, and a location of the assault. Why is it taking too long?”

He further stated that senior police officers had privately acknowledged established internal procedures for such cases.

“Some senior officers in the police revealed that in situations like this, to reduce tension, the DPO would be redeployed, while the investigation is ongoing. This prompted us to further petition the IGP and PSC.”

Chima insisted that the foundation’s actions were not driven by personal grievances but by a demand for accountability.

“That night was a night of rascality, everything bad happened that night. This is not a vendetta, all we need is justice.”

Springs Aid Foundation urged the Nigeria Police Force to institute a comprehensive, independent, and transparent investigation into the allegations.

The organisation called for disciplinary and criminal proceedings where necessary, compensation for affected victims, and assurances to residents of Bwari that the police remain committed to lawful engagement and protection of human rights.

The foundation noted that a similar petition had earlier been submitted on 18 July 2025, raising concerns about a pattern of misconduct within the division.

Claims Misleading, Says DPO

Responding to the allegations, CSP Babayola Musa denied any wrongdoing and described the petition as misleading.

“I am the DPO, the incident happened in my area, the narrative they are churning out is misleading, mysterious and a total false allegation”, Musa told THE WHISTLER.

He said further enquiries should be directed to the police command’s spokesperson.

“There is a proper channel to this, investigation is ongoing, contact the command spokesperson and she will brief you on any information you need. Anybody can go to the media and say anything, I can’t speak on this until I’m authorised to.”