Police begins investigation over alleged assault on Benue official

The Police in Benue State have commenced investigation into an alleged assault on the Chairman of Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Mrs Mimi Adazpe-Orubibi by a senior police officer. Spokesman of the Command, ASP Moses Joel Yamu, in a statement, noted that the incident which led some protesters to block the ever busy Makurdi-Gboko […]

The Police in Benue State have commenced investigation into an alleged assault on the Chairman of Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Mrs Mimi Adazpe-Orubibi by a senior police officer.

Spokesman of the Command, ASP Moses Joel Yamu, in a statement, noted that the incident which led some protesters to block the ever busy Makurdi-Gboko road around the BIRS headquarters was been looked into.

"The officer behind the disgraceful act has been identified and Investigation has commenced in earnest. The investigation will be handled dispassionately and accorded the seriousness it deserves, with a view to ensuring that the erring officer and any other officer found wanting are made to face the full wrath of the law," he stated.

Yamu added that the command’s attention was drawn to viral online publications alleging the X-Squad Unit of Police of looting and beating of staff of BIRS on account of further allegation that the new Commander of the Squad demanded for N10m from BIRS and claiming it was an order from the IGP.

He said the Squad was further alleged to have manhandled Mrs Orubibi, the Executive Chairman of BIRS for refusing to agree to the unholy demand.

But, Yamu averred that the command would like to state with all emphasis that the policy direction of the Inspector General Of Police (IGP) ensures that all police actions must conform with the rule of law and respect for the fundamental rights of the citizens, stressing, "This is as set out in the  Police creed issued by the IGP."

The spokesman explained that based on the foregoing, it became necessary for the command to inform the general public that it had taken immediate action, with the support of the State Governor to prevent breakdown of law and order in the state capital.

Yamu therefore on behalf of IGP Ibrahim Idris, expressed the command under CP Fatai Owoseni’s appreciation to Governor Samuel Ortom and a former Governor of the State, Senator George Akume for their support, leadership and understanding which culminated in the quick resolution of the ugly incident.

Our correspondent gathered from a witness that the officer in the eye of the storm, an Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of X-Squad, Mr. Olu Kayode Ayilara had few days earlier visited the BIRS headquarters to demand the release of some tax offenders but did not meet the chairman and was asked to come back at a later date.

Another source alleged that Ayilara went to BIRS to demand for N10 million on the guise that he was acting the script of the IGP, a request which Orubibi was said to have turned down.

It was however learnt that the return of the police officer to BIRS on Monday evening during which he met the chairman in her office sparked off a quarrel between the duo and led to the alleged assault on her by Ayilara.

The media aide to the BIRS chairman, Terna Francis, was yet to comment on the incident as he was not in the office and did not respond to his calls, but an insider told our correspondent that Orubibi had refused to pay allowances due to the squad for their alleged abating and aiding tax evasion.