Kano bizman petitions IG over assault by Etsu Nupe’s aides
By Abdulsalam Muhammad
KANO—A Kano-based Igbo industrialist, Chief Bonaventure Kalu, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Hafiz Ringim, over an alleged criminal assault by the Etsu Nupe, Brigadier-General Yahaya Kosudun(rtd), and his private guards.
Kalu, through his lawyer, Mr. Okechukwu Nweze, alleged that the paramount ruler of Nupe Kingdom in concert with his palace guards “dehumanised” and inflicted bodily harm on him at a checkpoint manned by armed soldiers at the Toll Plaza, along Abuja-Kaduna highway, last Thursday.
A copy of the petition made available to Vanguard, claimed that the Etsu Nupe, Brigadier-General Yahaya and his retinue of private guards misinformed the security personnel over an earlier encounter along the Tafa end of the road over the right of way.
Kalu’s lawyer explained that while his client was travelling on the speed lane, he heard sirens blaring and attempted to give way.
He stated that this was made difficult by other road users. So he accelerated. He said the convoy caught up with him at a road block where the monarch reported him to soldiers.
Nweze said: “They (soldiers at the road block) immedia-tely ordered Chief Kalu out of his car and left him at the mercy of the Etsu Nupe.”
He said the monarch watched while his private guards beat him with their horse whips to the consternation of onlookers.
who could not intervene.”
He also stated that the situation further compelled him to accelerate his speed to avoid causing a road accident on the busy and strategic expressway.
The petition stated that Chief Kalu’s action, which was done in good faith, was misinterpreted by the retired Army General to his colleagues at a check point where they caught up with him. He said they took his action as deliberate refusal to give way, hence the soldiers ordered the private guards of the Etsu Nupe to brutalise and dehumanise him.
Kalu was said to have been later rushed to a private hospital in Kaduna State where he was given medical attention. He called on the IGP to initiate investigations into the matter.
