The Nigerian Senate has ordered a full-scale investigation into the alleged extra-judicial killing of a middle-aged woman, Ifeoma Abugu, by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The order followed a motion raised by Ukachukwu Utazi representing Enugu North. Utazi at the resumed plenary called the attention of the Red Chamber to media reports on the alleged extra-judicial killing.
The late Abugu was arrested by a team from Federal Capital Territory Command (FCT) of SARS on September 10 when operatives stormed the residence of her fiancé, Afam Ugwunwa, in Wumba village, Lokogoma, Abuja.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, Utazi said the men of the FCT Command allegedly raped, tortured and killed the woman for an alleged offence committed by her fiancé.
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“She was arrested in place of her fiancé for an alleged crime contrary to the provision of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. She was detained, raped, tortured and killed.
“The sad event had brought to focus again the high rate of human abuse perpetrated by men of the SARS despite reforms,” he said.
The Senate president, Ahmed Lawan, mandated the Senate Committees on Police Affairs, Judiciary and Human Rights to investigate the matter and report back within two weeks to the plenary.
He said the matter was too serious to be swept under the carpet.
