National News
Nigeria Police neglect dying Police Inspector, Ekaete Ekpo
Human rights group, Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) has expressed concern over the state of health of a serving policewoman, Ekaete Ekpo.
The group through its national coordinator/convener, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, said it has submitted a second letter of appeal to the Lagos state Commissioner of Police and the Officer-in-Charge of the Public Complaints Bureau (PCB), over her health.
The sick policewoman Inspector according to the group started fell ill while she was on duty at the Festac Police Division in Lagos.
The group in an email said: “on January 4, 2013, while in office she fell sick and was rushed to a Church, God’s Prayer Ministry Church, somewhere after Okokomaiko, in police vehicle, by her colleagues.
“She was later taken to a General Hospital by her husband,” the statement said.
READ: EFCC goes after suspended SEC DG, Mounir Gwarzo
HURMA noted that, “Since her sickness began, Inspector Ekpo whose service number is 06925, has not received any benefit whatsoever.
“No salary, no medical care. But rather she was transferred from Festac to Okota Police Division in 2016.
“All procedure required by the Police Force for her to have access to medical care have been completed by her family but still no fund has been sent to her.
The human rights group explained that “As at present, she can no longer afford money to buy drugs or feed herself.”
Isiak noted that the last he saw her he was moved to tears.
“I’m begging the police authority to come to the rescue of the sick police officer, he said.
Adding that HURMA is appealing to the Police Force. “We hereby request urgent intervention from the police leadership to save the live of this dying police officer.
“We also want an enquiry into the inhuman treatment she has suffered since she fell ill”.
HURMA however commended the Officer-in-Charge of PCB, Mrs. Patricia Amadin, Superintendent of Police, who expressed great concerned on the state of health of Ekaete Ekpo.
The human group commended the coordinator of the Lagos State Police/CSO Working Team, Barrister Adeola Samuel, for encouraging the sick Inspector that the Police Force will wade into the matter.