Engineer files petition to IGP alleging abuse and unlawful invasion of property

An engineer based in Abuja has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over alleged abuse, harassment, and the unlawful invasion of his private property by individuals he claims acted under the pretense of law enforcement authority. The petition, which was submitted earlier this week, calls for a thorough investigation into the incident and immediate action against those responsible for the violations.

According to the petitioner, whose identity has been confirmed as Engineer Chinedu Nwosu, the invasion occurred at his residential property in the Gwarinpa area of the Federal Capital Territory. Nwosu narrated that a group of individuals, allegedly accompanied by police officers in plain clothes, stormed his premises without prior notice, a court warrant, or identification. The incident, he claims, took place in broad daylight and caused significant emotional trauma, property damage, and reputational harm.

In the detailed petition addressed to the IGP, Engineer Nwosu stated that the individuals forcibly gained access to his compound by breaking the entrance gate, despite protests from his domestic staff. He added that his elderly mother, who was home at the time, was left in distress after being confronted by the intruders. Items allegedly vandalized or carted away during the intrusion include electronics, personal documents, and household furniture.

Nwosu expressed disbelief at the audacity of the invasion, particularly because he had no prior knowledge of any legal case or dispute that could have justified such an action. “This was nothing short of a coordinated attack on my privacy, safety, and dignity,” he wrote in his petition. “I am a law-abiding citizen and a professional in good standing. There is absolutely no reason for anyone, let alone people claiming to represent law enforcement, to violate my home in this manner.”

The petition further questions the legitimacy of the police officers who accompanied the individuals, suggesting they might have been recruited for private interests under false pretenses. He urged the IGP to investigate the involvement of any serving officers, and to determine whether they acted on lawful orders or outside the bounds of their duty. The engineer also demanded disciplinary actions against any officers found complicit in the unauthorized operation.

The Abuja-based engineer is also seeking restitution for damages incurred and a public apology for what he describes as a humiliating experience. Legal representatives for Nwosu confirmed that civil proceedings would follow if the matter is not addressed promptly by the authorities. They emphasized that their client was targeted unjustly and that the case has broader implications for citizens’ rights and the integrity of law enforcement institutions.

Human rights advocates and civil society organizations have also weighed in on the matter, expressing concern over the growing trend of extrajudicial actions disguised as enforcement. According to a spokesperson for the Abuja-based Civil Rights Network, such cases point to a worrying decline in adherence to the rule of law, where some individuals exploit institutional weaknesses to intimidate or settle personal scores under the guise of legal enforcement.

He noted that the arbitrary use of police personnel in civil matters is a recurring issue and called for reforms that clearly delineate the roles and limits of police intervention in disputes. “We cannot allow a system where people’s homes are invaded without due process. That’s a serious violation of constitutional rights. The police hierarchy must investigate this case and ensure it does not become the norm.”

In response to inquiries, a senior police officer at Force Headquarters, who spoke under anonymity, said that the IGP takes such petitions seriously and has already instructed the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to look into the matter. He assured that anyone found to have acted illegally or unprofessionally would be held accountable.

The incident has sparked outrage in professional circles, with some engineers and members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) expressing solidarity with Nwosu and demanding justice. They described the incident as not just an attack on one individual but an affront to the values of professionalism, dignity, and the sanctity of private life.

As the investigation commences, observers say the outcome will be a litmus test for the police leadership’s commitment to justice, transparency, and internal discipline. It also raises broader questions about the ease with which state institutions can be manipulated for private vendettas, and what safeguards exist to protect ordinary citizens.

Engineer Nwosu has remained resolute, stating that he is pursuing the matter not just for personal redress but to ensure that no other citizen suffers a similar fate. He urged the IGP to rise to the occasion and demonstrate that under his watch, the Nigerian Police Force is a protector of rights, not a tool of intimidation.

The case continues to generate public interest as Nigerians await the police’s response and the steps it will take to address the growing concerns over abuse of power and the violation of constitutional liberties.