The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested three of its personnel for their alleged involvement in the extra-judicial killing of two women.
The affected policemen were said to have been involved in the incident leading to the death of the women by an angry mob over allegations of witchcraft.
The state Commissioner of Police, Afolabi Babatola, was said to have expressed shock over what he described as the unprofessional conduct of the policemen sighted in a viral video alongside some vigilantes and a mob, molesting and maltreating three women accused of witchcraft.
Two of the women ended up being killed in the video, which showed them being stripped and mercilessly beaten by the mob.
Babatola, who ordered the arrest of all those seen in the video, including the policemen, described the actions of the policemen as “unfortunate.”
He was said to have deployed the Deputy Commissioner of Police who arrested those seen maltreating and assaulting the women.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, disclosed the arrest of the three policemen seen in the viral video and 10 other persons in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday.
He said, “ The unfortunate killing of two women accused of witchcraft by a mob in Roma, has been condemned by the Police Commissioner, CP Afolabi Babatola, saying the Adamawa State Police Command came across an unfortunate video which has gone viral in some section of the media, especially social media where an Inspector of Police and some members of vigilantes attached to the Dumne Divisional Police Headquarters were sighted maltreating and assaulting three women in an unprofessional manner at Roma community, Dumne Development Area in the Song Local Government Area.
“The women were stripped naked and beaten mercilessly by the mob over the allegation of witchcraft as a result of which two of them were brutally murdered.
“Irked by the unfortunate incident, the Commissioner of Police immediately deployed the Deputy Commissioner of Police who arrested those seen maltreating and assaulting the women.
“Equally, the CP has ordered a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote cause(s) of this condemnable incident as well as ensure speedy dispensation of justice.”
The CP, in the statement, also assured all stakeholders that any act of indiscipline and lawlessness will not be tolerated under his watch as those found guilty of the crime would surely be brought to book.