Former police officer, Inspector Edith Uduma, has issued a heart-wrenching threat to end her life along with her children following her termination from the police force. Uduma claims her dismissal was a direct consequence of exposing an alleged rape incident involving a colleague. The situation has garnered significant public attention, with Uduma emphasizing that her side of the story has not been heard in the media.
The controversy began when Uduma recorded a shocking video in October, which went viral. The footage depicted Sergeant Abraham, a fellow officer, in an inappropriate situation with a 17-year-old girl inside the police station located in the South Ibie area of Edo State. In the video, Abraham is seen hastily pulling on his trousers and questioning why Uduma was filming the scene, while the visibly distressed girl lies on a chair in the room.
Following the incident, both Uduma and Abraham were subjected to an orderly room trial resulting in their respective dismissals. The Edo State Police Command, through a statement released in November by its Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, accused Uduma of conspiring with her husband, Inspector Ibrahim Mohammed, to extort N1 million from Sergeant Abraham to cover up the scandal. According to the command, when Abraham countered with an offer of N45,000 instead, the incriminating video was subsequently leaked online.
In addressing the allegations, the police command stated, “The female officer, instead of reporting the incident to the Divisional Police Officer or the Incident Duty Officer, took advantage of the situation to enrich herself by conspiring with her husband to demand N1 million from the sergeant.” This assertion has been vehemently denied by Uduma, who insists that she has been wronged and was not given a chance to defend herself adequately.
In an emotional interview with NEW DAILY PRIME, Uduma expressed her despair over the situation. “What the Edo Command is saying is not true. They know I lack the connections to fight back,” she lamented. She asserted that her dismissal was unjust, and she remains adamant that the truth behind her actions has been obscured and manipulated.
Uduma further revealed that an ongoing investigation by the Force Headquarters in Abuja remains unresolved, yet the Edo command acted swiftly to dismiss her. “I want justice. My dismissal is unjust,” she stated with tears in her eyes. She also added details of her husband’s demotion, which she claims has no bearing on his involvement in the incident.
“During that time, he merely brought me food at the station,” she clarified. As the fallout continues, Uduma has voiced her desperation. “If nobody listens to me if they keep searching for me to arrest me, I will poison my children and myself. I feel trapped,” she said, highlighting her current state of anguish and isolation, having been in hiding and away from her children for an extended period.
Uduma accused the Divisional Police Officer at her station of prompting her to request the N1 million for negotiation purposes when Abraham reportedly fled after the incident. “It surprises me how other officers have turned against me,” she remarked. “If the police can do this to one of their own, what chance do ordinary civilians have?”
Mystery surrounds the previous DPO, SP Lilian Osemwegie, who has since retired. Attempts to reach her for comments were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the situation has sparked outrage among human rights organizations. The Take It Back Movement has submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, calling for a thorough investigation into Uduma’s unjust dismissal.
The petition emphasizes the grave injustice faced by Uduma and her husband, urging the police hierarchy to review the circumstances surrounding their dismissals. “It is disturbing that rather than commend the bravery of Uduma for revealing the alleged rape, the police command chose to punish her,” the petition stated, emphasizing the implications of this action on the broader context of justice and accountability within the police force.
As the situation unfolds, calls for justice and a fair investigation into Uduma’s allegations grow louder, shining a light on the challenges of integrity and accountability within law enforcement agencies.
