Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the National Assembly to investigate the alleged recruitment of a suspected notorious bandit, Muhammadu Sani Dalhatu, popularly known as Abacha, into the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) unit of the Nigerian Police Force.
According to the group, there is a need to probe the allegation considering that Dalhatu was reportedly identified as one of the officers of IRT from Abuja, which arrested and detained two sons of the Emir of Kagarko, in Kaduna State.
National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, yesterday, said that the unfolding events in Kagarko underscore the urgent need for transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies.
Responding to the distressing petition filed by Y. C. Maikyau & Co., on behalf of two detained individuals, Mustapha Buhari Aliyu and Aliyu Buhari Aliyu, HURIWA highlighted the gravity of the situation unfolding in Kagarko.
The group also called for the release of the two sons of the Fulani Emir of Kagarko if the police can’t charge them to court within the lawfully permitted time frame.
HURIWA said: “The petition outlines alarming allegations of intimidation, harassment and malicious instigation of arrest against Muhammadu Sani Dalhatu, alias Abacha, a figure with a contentious reputation within the community. According to the petition, Abacha allegedly threatened the father of the Aliyu brothers, prompting forceful and unexplained detention by individuals suspected to be from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigerian Police Force.”
“The petition detailed the sequence of events leading to the brothers’ detention, highlighting the lack of official identification, disclosure of alleged offenses, or presentation of warrants by the arresting officers. Despite persistent efforts by legal representatives to secure the release of Mustapha and Aliyu, the police reportedly rebuffed their requests, unjustly labeling the young men as ‘kidnappers.’
“Y. C. Maikyau & Co. emphasised the presumption of innocence, and the constitutional right to personal liberty, urging the immediate release of their clients or their fair and prompt trial by due process.”
