By Jeremiah Aminu
Residents of Iffe-Ijumu in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State have demanded an urgent investigation after Iyabo Iwamofe, the All Progressives Congress (APC) women leader of Iffe/Ikoyi Ward, reportedly sustained serious facial injuries.
According to a viral video posted by Sahara Reporters on Sunday, the injured APC leader recalled that the incident occurred on 8 March 2026 after a tear gas canister allegedly fired by police officers struck her face.
In the video, Iwamofe, the APC women leader, was seen in a hospital with a large facial scar. She was also seen narrating how the incident unfolded.
“I sat in front of my shop when I suddenly saw a police van close to my shop. The next thing I saw was that they started firing and I fell”, she said.
Eyewitnesses who were present confirmed details of her testimony.
One of them stated that: “I was close to the vicinity to charge my phone when those policemen suddenly came and started shooting. They shot Aunty Iyabo. We even thought she was dead, but we rushed her to the General Hospital. By the time she was accepted, it was around 8:30 p.m. at night”.
Another noted that Iwamofe had no prior interaction or dispute with the police officers which may have contributed to the attack.
“She did not have any issue or fight with the police. She was in front of her shop when she suddenly fell due to the shot fired. I was close to the place with others and we were only relaxing, being a Sunday”, the eyewitness stated.
Another video recording, obtained by Sahara Reporters, depicted the mayhem that residents experienced as they fled to safety.
Speaking further on the unsettling incident, Bayo Joshua, Chairman of the Iffe Development Union, Lokoja Branch, also noted that a tear gas canister, fired by the police officers, hit Iwamofe’s face, causing her to sustain facial scars. He also underscored the emotional trauma and permanent facial damage that Iwamofe sustained owing to that grim event.
“On Sunday, 8th March 2026, Miss Iyabo Iwamofe, a respected member of the community and Women Leader of APC, Iffe/Ikoyi Ward, reportedly suffered serious facial injuries after a live tear gas canister was fired into her shop without provocation. The attack caused permanent damage and significant emotional trauma, according to community leaders.
“The injury has not only caused permanent damage to her face but has also deprived her of many freedoms and created deep emotional trauma in her life”, he remarked.
In a statement, the union called for an investigation into the matter, including compensation for Iwamofe and regulatory measures to prevent a recurrence of such dismal events.
“We therefore respectfully appeal to the Kogi State Commissioner of Police to urgently investigate this case of unprofessional handling of arms that has resulted in permanent physical damage to a promising and respected member of our community, Miss Iyabo Iwamofe, who also serves as the Women Leader of APC, Iffe/Ikoyi Ward,” Joshua said.
He, however, warned that if the necessary steps are not taken to address the issue, legal actions may be taken against the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
For More Details, Visit New Daily Prime at www.newdailyprime.news
