Following last week alleged brutal attack and molestation of a seafarer; Emmanuel Logbein, allegedly by officers of the Nigerian Police from the Elere Police Station in Agege, Lagos, the Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association has threatened to petition the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar over the attack.
Following last week alleged brutal attack and molestation of a seafarer; Emmanuel Logbein, allegedly by officers of the Nigerian Police from the Elere Police Station in Agege, Lagos, the Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association has threatened to petition the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar over the attack.
Logbein , a 4th Officer, Deck, who hails from Bayelsa state, was allegedly beaten to coma by police officers on the 27th of February 2014 even after he reportedly identified himself to the police officers as a seafarer.
The seafarer who recounted his ordeal to our correspondent via the telephone yesterday alleged that he was beaten up by officers from the Elere police station along the popular Agege Motor Road as at 6:30pm on the fateful day.
Speaking further on his ordeal, he said the police station initially accepted responsibilities of the assault: "They gave me a letter headed paper from the Police Force and they also said that I should go the nearest general hospital for medication and treatment, they stated categorically that the police will pay any amount charged by the hospital”.
Meanwhile the Trade Union Congress affiliate maritime union has condemned the attack on its member by the Police and has vowed to seek redress.
Speaking exclusively with Shipping Position Daily, the President of Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association; Engineer Matthew Alalade and Secretary General; Comrade Julius Efokpoi both stressed that the petition, to the Inspector General of Police will serve as a lesson to others who delight in harassing innocent citizens of the country.
Alalade told Shipping Position Daily yesterday that there have been several cases of police molestation, harassment and dehumanization of members of the association. He vowed that the latest attack would not be treated with kid’s cloves.
“Is it because we don't carry arms and that is why we are being treated like that, we are duly registered under the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of 1978 during the restructuring exercise, therefore we are backed by law”, he stated.
The national president also noted that there have tremendous success in the fight against fake merchant navy officer across the country has level of impersonation has dropped.
On his part, scribe of the maritime industry union; Comrade Julius Efokpoi added that the petition will be ready by the end of the week, pointing out "we want to correct an impression that the public do not understand".The union's secretary noted that" if we do not react this way people we take us for granted".
Meanwhile a human right activist group has also thrown its weight behind the seafarer. Speaking on the alleged beating, an activist; Friday Okugbo disclosed that two officers have been arrested in connection with the assault, while others are at large.
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