Air force official justifies brutal beating of FAAN official

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The Nigerian Air Force on Wednesday said Muhammed Shuaibu suffered in the hands of four of its officers because he broke the rule. The Command Public Relations Officer, Logistics Command, NAF, Joel Abioye, said Shuaibu suffered for breaking the rule and tried to use his position to deceive those AF officers.

He said, “The incident happened at the Departure wing of the International Airport, Ikeja, on Sunday when one Muhammed Shuaibu, a protcol officer with FAAN confronted our men on duty for challenging him for parking in a wrong place, thereby obstructing free flow of traffic.

“This same man had earlier been cautioned to stop allowing motorists park indiscriminately for security reason. He was instructed to move his vehicle to the designated car park at the airport.

“He, however, refused, claiming that he was a member of staff of FAAN. He is a protocol officer and I expect him to know better, considering the security challenges in the country.

“Shuaibu struggled with our men and acted violently in an attempt to retrieve the number plate of his vehicle that was removed, which is a usual practice to serve as deterrent to other motorists who park indiscriminately.

“Contrary to the report that he was beaten to a coma, it was in his attempt to retireve his number plate that he sustained injury in his nostrils. He was later taken to the 445 NAF Hospital, Ikeja, for medical treatment before he discharged himself on Monday.

“However, a thorough investigation will be carried out and if any of our men is found culpable, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against them as the Nigerian Air Force does not condone any act of indiscipline and brutalisation of innocent citizens.”

However, Shuaibu, who spoke with Punch on Wednesday, explained that it was not the first time that airport workers had been intimidated and beaten by the air force officers.

He said he wanted his attackers to be punished and his case to serve as a deterrent to other security officers who abuse the privilege of power.

He said, “I appreciate the efforts of the media, but this is just a single case out of many others which never get any mention.

“I have no plan to personally pursue a legal case, I am leaving everything to FAAN.

“But I want the government to intervene and let these assaults end with my experience.

“It has to stop and the only way to do that is to punish officers who attacked me.”