The Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, faces serious allegations of human rights violations and torture. This follows the theft of gold worth over N700 million from the Inspector General of Police’s residence.
A petition sent to Amnesty International, obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday, revealed these accusations.
The petition outlines that several individuals were detained by the IRT after the gold went missing from the IGP’s apartment in early May 2024. Among those arrested are Alh. Aminu Sarkin Zabarmawan Kebbi, his two shop attendants, Alh. Musa Aliyu, Alh. Nuhu Usman, Anas Aminu, Yahaya (a tailor from Rigasa), and several PoS operators.
According to the petition, the stolen gold was traced to the Wuse market, where it was allegedly bought by one Alhaji Auwal, who is currently at large. The Police IRT arrested several members of the Gold Dealers Association at Wuse Market and PoS operators linked to transactions with Alhaji Auwal.
The petition claims that the IRT, acting under the IGP’s directives, subjected those arrested to severe and inhumane treatment, including beatings, hanging, and forced extortion under the guise of recovering the stolen gold. One notable case involves Alh. Aminu Sarkin Zabarmawan Kebbi, whose shop at Wuse Market contained gold worth over N100 million. He and his attendants were detained, and the gold was confiscated by the IRT.
Another detainee, Nuhu Usman, who conducted business with Alhaji Auwal, was reportedly forced to pay N11 million for gold he had purchased for N6 million. Usman’s bank statement from Taj Bank was also seized, and N13 million was forcibly withdrawn.
The petition further details the case of a tailor from Rigasa, Kaduna, who was arrested, beaten into a coma at the IRT office in Abuja, and remains detained. The document highlights ongoing human rights abuses and the unjust detention of innocent members of the Gold Dealers Association under the pretense of recovering the stolen gold.
Additionally, the petition questions the true ownership of the stolen gold, suggesting potential involvement of the IGP, his wife, or PSO 3 (Buky). The IRT team investigating the theft includes officers Mashood, Femi, Joe (piyapiya), Femi, Habila, and Abdul.
The petition concludes with a call for accountability and transparency in the handling of the case, urging authorities to address the severe violations of human rights and the extortion of the gold dealers.