Police arrest human rights activist over ‘assault’ of female officer

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested Zainab Duke-Abiola, a professor and human rights activist, over an alleged assault on Teju Moses, a police inspector.

On Wednesday, pictures showing a female police officer with a bruised face appeared on social media with the narrative that she was assaulted by a prominent individual.

On Thursday, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said Duke-Abiola assaulted the female inspector over her refusal to breach professional ethics by carrying out domestic chores.

The force spokesperson said Duke-Abiola allegedly carried out the assault in the presence of her domestic staff.

Adejobi said the activist has no “acquaintance” in the force contrary to what is being speculated on social media.

“The inspector-general of police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc, has strongly condemned the grievous assault of a female Police Officer, Inspector Teju Moses, by her principal who is a Legal practitioner and human rights activist, Prof. Zainab Duke Abiola and her domestic staff comprising the housemaid, one Rebecca Enechido and a male suspect currently at large,” the statement reads.

“Zainab Duke, an Mbaise born activist, grievously assaulted her orderly in company of some accomplices on Tuesday 20th September, 2022 at her residence in Garki, Abuja, due to the refusal of the orderly to breach professional ethics by carrying out menial and domestic chores at her house.

“The IGP has directed the express prosecution of the arrested suspects who are currently in police custody, as the preliminary investigation shows overwhelming evidence of culpability on the part of the professor and her domestic staff.

“The IGP has equally tasked the investigative team to ensure that the fleeing suspect is arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

“It is pertinent to clarify that the suspect, Prof. Zainab, who name-drops the IGP, his family members, and other officers in the top hierarchy of the force has no acquaintance with the police in any form as erroneously peddled on social media.

“The inspector-general of police who similarly ordered the withdrawal of all Police personnel attached to the professor, expressed consternation at the fact that an individual who claims to be an advocate for human rights could stoop so low to violate the rights of another individual, a police officer tasked with ensuring her protection.”