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Auchi, Edo State – A female police officer, Inspector Edith Uduma, serving at the South Ibie Police Station, Auchi, has come forward with a troubling account of gross misconduct within the force, leading to her controversial dismissal. The incident, which unfolded on October 7, 2024, involved allegations of abuse of authority, sexual misconduct, and an attempt to suppress evidence.
The events began during Inspector Uduma’s night duty as the Charge Room Officer (CRO). She claims that Sergeant Abraham Ozuobor took a suspect out of the cell under unclear circumstances. Later, she discovered him in the administrative office with an unconscious female detainee and recorded the scene as evidence. This action, which she describes as part of her duty to uphold justice, allegedly sparked a chain reaction of retaliation from her superiors.
In her detailed statement, Uduma also highlighted a prior incident where she reported unauthorized cell access. According to her, a detainee had been granted access to the female suspect under the guise of needing to remove another suspect. However, this detainee allegedly used the opportunity to engage in sexual intercourse with the female detainee in the administrative office-a blatant act of misconduct witnessed by other officers, including PC Ogbele Moses.
The following day, Uduma attempted to report the incident officially, only to face stiff resistance from her Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Lilian Osemwegie. According to Uduma, the DPO instructed her to suppress the video evidence and avoid filing an official report. Despite these warnings, Uduma made an entry in the crime diary, which reportedly enraged her superiors.
“The DPO said if Abraham is dismissed, she would make sure I’m dismissed too,” Uduma recounted. The situation worsened when the female teenager was released without any investigation, allegedly to avoid drawing attention to the matter.
In an effort to escalate her concerns, Uduma sought intervention from the Area Commander, who detained Sergeant Ozuobor and ordered statements from all parties involved, including the DPO. However, what followed was a shocking twist: Uduma learned of her dismissal through unofficial channels, accompanied by false allegations that she had drugged the teenage detainee-a claim she vehemently denies.
The aftermath of the incident has deeply affected Uduma’s family. Her husband, Inspector Ibrahim Muhammad, has reportedly been detained at the State Headquarters in Benin City, allegedly connected to the same case. Uduma stated, “I have been receiving threats and harassment. All efforts to clarify the reason for my dismissal have failed.”
Adding to the controversy, a daily order issued on October 10, 2024, revealed that PC Ogbele Moses, one of the officers allegedly involved, was transferred to another state. The transfer order, signed by SP Osemwegie, came with a warning for strict compliance, raising questions about the selective measures taken against implicated officers.u
This incident underscores significant concerns about the treatment of whistleblowers within the police force and the culture of impunity among senior officers. Inspector Uduma’s case has drawn attention from human rights advocates, who are calling for an independent investigation into the allegations to ensure justice is served.
As the Edo State Police Command and Force Headquarters in Abuja remain silent on the matter, public pressure is mounting for greater accountability and reforms within the Nigerian Police Force. Cases like this highlight the urgent need for transparent processes in addressing internal misconduct and protecting those who seek to uphold justice.
