The Nigerian Police Force has paraded members of a family for torturing a 13-year-old girl with hot water and pepper over an allegation of theft.
The commissioner of police in Taraba State, David Iloyanomon, disclosed this to journalists at the police headquarters in Jalingo, the state capital.
According to Iloyanomon, the state command received a complaint on July 1, 2024, at Yorro Division.
The complaint stated that Bulus Bitonopa tortured Bridget Samuel, causing temporary paralysis of her hands.
Hon. Cleopas took the victim to his house in Jalingo to conceal the crime, failed to take her to the hospital, and resisted police intervention.
Iloyanomon said, “A visit to the Federal Medical Centre Jalingo showed that the 13-year-old girl may not use two of her hands henceforth following the act of torture.”
According to Bridget Samuel, “Two of my uncles tied my hands with black rubber, dipped them into a bowl of hot water, and added pepper and sand to it.”
She was falsely accused of stealing ₦5000 from her uncle’s wife’s purse. She narrated, “They tied me around 3:00 PM until around 11:00 AM the following day when another uncle stepped in, untied me, and took me to a nearby clinic for medical attention.”
Meanwhile, the police in Taraba State have arrested 38 persons suspected of kidnapping, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms.
Twelve of these suspects have been charged to court, while 26 others are under investigation.
