Police accused of collecting ₦30,000 bribe; police deny it, visit victim in hospital
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“My daughter fell into a coma when the search party found her in the bush. We immediately took her to the hospital and filed a report with the police at the Eastern Ngwa Division.
“The police demanded N30,000 to investigate the case, which I paid. Although they have arrested the suspect, I fear Chinazum might be released and could continue his attacks, possibly killing my daughter.
“The police must do their job because this [man] is a danger to everyone in the village. They claim he is mentally unstable, but that’s not true” – Anaba, victim’s father.
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Police have been accused of collecting ₦30,000 bribe to register a case involving Chinazum Nwaubani, 33, who allegedly attacked 14-year-old Felicia Anaba with a machete for refusing his sexual advances, leaving her in a coma.
The assault occurred in Obete Nchina village, in Obingwa Council of Abia.
The victim’s father, Chijioke Anaba, accused the Eastern Ngwa Police Division of demanding and collecting from him N30,000 to register the case; claims the police denied.
It was learnt that Felicia was fetching firewood with her twin brother when Nwaubani allegedly attacked them.
Local sources alleged Nwaubani attempted to rape her but met fierce resistance, and then slashed her multiple times with a machete, leaving her with severe head, leg, and hand injuries before fleeing.
Felicia’s brother escaped and alerted the family.
A search party found her unconscious and bleeding profusely in the bush. She was rushed to the hospital where she is currently receiving treatment.
Anaba claimed that when he reported the incident, officers at the Eastern Ngwa Police Division demanded N30,000 to open a case file.
Frustrated, he feared the suspect – who is from the same village – might be released, especially after police allegedly suggested Nwaubani is mentally unstable, a claim the family disputes.
Despite the alleged extortion attempt, police later visited Felicia in the hospital, according to SaharaReporters.
Abia Police Command confirmed the attack but denied any request for money to document it, and stressed that investigation is ongoing.
Anaba said: “My daughter fell into a coma when the search party found her in the bush. We immediately took her to the hospital and filed a report with the police at the Eastern Ngwa Division.
“The police demanded N30,000 to investigate the case, which I paid. Although they have arrested the suspect, I fear Chinazum might be released and could continue his attacks, possibly killing my daughter.
“The police must do their job because this [man] is a danger to everyone in the village. They claim he is mentally unstable, but that’s not true.”
Anaba appealed to Priscilla, the wife of Governor Alex Otti, to assist his daughter who may be permanently disabled due to the severe machete wounds allegedly inflicted by the suspect.
However, Abia Police Command denied the allegation of demanding bribe, stressing that no official complaint has been received about it.
“We have not received any such report, and no one has come forward with evidence,” said Police Public Relations Officer Maureen Chinaka.
“This is not a time for unverified claims. Anyone with credible information is encouraged to report to the Complaint Response Unit for proper investigation.
“While at the farm, Chinazum Nwaubani, a resident of the same village, allegedly approached them armed with a machete.
“He grabbed the female twin and ordered her to lie down and remove her clothes. When she refused, he attacked her with the machete, injuring her head, back, and leg,” Chinaka recounted.
“The girl’s brother escaped and alerted the family, which led to a swift police response and the suspect’s arrest. The injured girl was taken to the hospital, and investigations are ongoing.”
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