Woman Loses 3-Month-Old Pregnancy After Being Allegedly Assaulted By NSCDC Officials In Ibadan

A trader identified as Mrs Funmilola Adekoya has lost her three-month-old pregnancy following alleged brutality by some officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command in Ibadan.

The incident is said to have occurred on September 29 at Floor 2, Gbangbalolonwa complex, Idi-Ope, Imonlefalafia, Oke-Ado.

Husband of the victim, Mr. Francis Adekoya, while speaking to newsmen, said that some people who did not show him any identity card suddenly entered his shop early in the morning demanding for N2,000 tax.

Mr. Adekoya told newsmen;

When the men who were guarded by two NSCDC operatives entered by shop, they claimed to be collecting N2,000 tax for the Oyo State Board of Internal Revenue.

However, I made them understand that I had not made any sales that morning, besides, there was no pre-notice of their coming and so did not prepare any money ahead.

He stressed;

I pleaded with the alleged tax collectors to give me some hours to make money, probably by afternoon I would have made money, but they threatened to apply force against me. Then, they insisted on sealing up my shop and I tried to prevent them.

One of the NSCDC operative later dragged me out of the shop, injected me with an electrical gadget and also sprayed my face with a gaseous substance.

Mr. Adekoya also alleged that he temporarily lost his vision due to the brutality by the NSCDC official.

He further stated that his wife tried to intervene in the matter, but an NSCDC operative pressed the same an electrical gadget on her stomach, in addition to spraying her with a gaseous substance which left her unconscious.

Mr. Adekoya expressed;

It took the effort of well meaning neighbours who supported me in rushing her to the hospital before she was revived. The medical doctor told me that it was only God that saved her, adding that she has lost the three month-old pregnancy she was carrying.

He added;

I want the government to take a decisive action on this incident because the brutality against poor innocent people might continue if nothing is done on it.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NSCDC in Oyo State, Mr. Oluwole Olusegun confirmed the incident to newsmen on Sunday, October 4.

Olusegun, however, said that the corps was still investigating the matter.