Abuja Barber sues Police for N1bn after losing eye in tear gas incident

A barber based in Abuja, Abraham Emmanuel, has filed a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Nigeria Police Force and the Divisional Police Officer of Bwari Division, CSP Babayola Muhammad Musa, following an incident in which he allegedly lost his left eye during a police operation on New Year’s Eve.

The suit, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/256/2026, is seeking the enforcement of Emmanuel’s fundamental human rights as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.

According to court filings, the incident occurred on December 31, 2025, in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory during a police operation reportedly conducted by officers attached to the Bwari Division.

Emmanuel alleged that officers deployed tear gas canisters and fired gunshots into the air during a New Year crossover operation, causing panic among residents, churchgoers, traders, and passers-by.

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He further claimed that while standing in front of his father’s residence along Sabon Gari Road in Bwari, one of the tear gas canisters struck him directly in the left eye, resulting in severe injury and permanent loss of vision in that eye.

Through his counsel, Anthony Idanosi Eruaga Esq., the applicant approached the court under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, citing Sections 35, 41, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Emmanuel is asking the court to declare the alleged police action unlawful, unconstitutional, and a violation of his right to dignity and personal security.

In addition to seeking N1 billion in damages, he is also requesting a formal written apology from both the Nigeria Police Force and the Bwari Divisional Police Officer for the alleged rights violation.

Court documents also alleged that more than 90 individuals were arrested during the same operation, which the applicant claims was carried out in a manner inconsistent with due process.

The matter came before Justice Yilwa Hauwa Joseph of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who adjourned proceedings to September 25, 2026, for hearing.

Following the court session, President of Springs Aid Foundation, Comrade Chima Kenneth Emeka, criticised what he described as continued silence from police authorities over repeated allegations linked to the Bwari Division DPO.

He said multiple petitions had been submitted to senior police authorities, including the Commissioner of Police, the Police Service Commission, and the Inspector-General of Police, without any visible disciplinary action.

According to him, a fresh petition was also sent on March 3, 2026, but no response had been received.

Emeka further recalled previous protests by residents of Bwari over alleged misconduct by the same officer, stating that assurances of investigation had not yielded results months later.

He also referenced other alleged cases linked to the division, including claims of extortion and deaths allegedly connected to police encounters, which he said had been reported to relevant authorities without resolution.

The activist urged the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to demonstrate stronger commitment to accountability and transparency, stressing that public confidence in law enforcement depends on how such allegations are handled.

He maintained that legal action became necessary due to what he described as institutional silence, adding that justice must be both done and seen to be done.

The case has continued to draw public attention, raising fresh debate over police conduct, operational safety procedures, and accountability mechanisms within the Federal Capital Territory.