Thomas who was arrested in her Lagos home was moved to the Force Criminal Investigation Dept (FCID) Abuja on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun and Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
A female human rights activist, Abiodun Olamide Thomas, who was arrested last Friday in her Lagos home for criticising the excesses of Nigeria Police Force officers, has not been allowed to make a statement despite having spent five days in detention, SaharaReporters reports.
SaharaReporters gathered from reliable sources that the Investigative Police Officers (IPOs) in charge of her case, identified as SP Raliat, of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center (NCCC), and one ASP Edet, have not allowed Thomas to make a statement till date.
Thomas who was arrested in her Lagos home was moved to the Force Criminal Investigation Dept (FCID) Abuja on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun and Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
“Till date, the IPOs - Supol Raliat, of the NCCC, and ASP Edet, as per the records have refused to bring the suspect to make her statement,” one of the sources said.
“Till date, the police have yet to confront the suspect with the allegation against her nor record her statement. They are all mute.”
The sources added when Thomas was arrested, the police officers alleged that her arrest was connected to a missing phone at the NCCC (National Cybercrime Centre), Abuja.
According to the one of the sources, “The Assistant Director, Admin in NCCC showed Thomas a blurry video which was largely unviewable but was informed orally that she was insulting the Force Public Relations Officer.”
“The IPO in charge of the case has been evasive after arresting her for allegedly ‘insulting the FPRO’ - a non- existent offence,” one of the sources said.
SaharaReporters gathered that Thomas's health is deteriorating rapidly due to lack of medical attention from the Nigeria Police Force. Thomas reportedly suffers from asthma and ulcers, and her condition worsens daily without proper care.
BACKGROUND
SaharaReporters reported on Monday that Thomas, a female activist arrested on Friday for allegedly insulting Adejobi, had been moved to the Force headquarters in Abuja.
SaharaReporters learned on Monday that Thomas endured inhumane treatment on Saturday and remained detained at Nigeria's National Cyber-Crime Centre, Abuja. Sources revealed that she had been held for days without charges or court appearance, and denied administrative bail.
SaharaReporters reported on Friday that Thomas, whose alternate identity is Horlarmidey Africano, was poised for transfer to the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Previously detained at the Lagos State Police Command, Thomas' arrest was reportedly instigated by Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer. Her detention stemmed from candid remarks criticizing police misconduct, of which she herself had been a victim, thereby attracting unwarranted attention from law enforcement authorities.
Confidential sources revealed to SaharaReporters that Superintendent of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson for the Lagos Police Command, intimated to select acquaintances that Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun harbored keen interest in Abiodun's case, indicating an uncompromising stance.
Previously, on November 8, SaharaReporters reported Thomas' apprehensions regarding her safety, alleging targeted harassment by Adejobi.
Furthermore, sources disclosed to SaharaReporters on Monday that Thomas, a duly licensed nursing professional, endured inhumane treatment at the hands of Nigerian Police operatives, subjected to appalling and unimaginable conditions, eliciting profound concern.
According to one of the sources, Thomas was initially arrested on October 20, 2024, when she was beaten and slapped several times.
Additionally, Thomas suffered injuries at the Lekki Toll Gate, where a tear gas canister was fired at her leg and she was repeatedly struck with a firearm.