The National Human Rights Commission is investigating claims officers of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency assaulted a 24-year-old citizen.
Sara Jawla spent two days in hospital after sustaining injuries during his arrest by officers of DLEAG in Brikamaba last month. Jawla was allegedly dragged by a moving vehicle leaving him injured on his buttocks and heels.
DLEAG spokesman Ousman Saidyba confirmed to The Fatu Network the NHRC has now started investigating the matter.
A statement he shared with The Fatu Network said: “Concerning the alleged assault and abuse incident at Brikamaba, what we gathered at preliminary stages from the operatives is that they conducted an operation in a hotspot area in Brikamaba – Darslameh Junction. This area is a popular joint used to openly abuse and sell drugs.
“After several complaints from residents and the public, the officers on that faithful day earlier arrested one Musa Jawla with five (5) parcels and two (2) wraps of suspected cannabis. As they proceeded, they encountered a person later identified as Sara Jawla alias legal. He was carrying a multi-colored bag on his back. He tried to run away but was apprehended by the operatives.
“Thereafter, a search was conducted on him and they found eighty-eight (88) wraps of suspected Cannabis Sativa. The officers then decided to take him into custody. As they try to get him on board the vehicle, Sara faced the boys gathered there and said that they should not stand by looking while the officers take him into custody. The officers said that at this point, a push and pull ensued and they faced serious resistance and obstruction. They were pelted with stones from different directions. The vehicle that they used for the said operation even sustained damages. Musa Jawla who was earlier arrested with five (5) parcels and two (2) wraps of suspected Cannabis escaped from lawful custody during the commotion. He is one person who has two pending case with the agency. One case is currently ongoing in court while he is awaiting trial for the other case.
“Sara Jawla was however taken into custody. The officers said that they could not detain him at Brikamaba because the mob chased them up to the station pelting them with stones. He was later taken to Bansang Hospital where he was admitted for two days. When he was released on the third day, the officers opened bail for him and once he was able to fulfill the bail conditions, he was granted bail.
“The National Human Rights Council is presently investigating the matter and as such, we may not want to comment further on this issue until they are done with their investigations. I Am sure that once they are done with their probe, they will share their findings with all concerned parties for further action.”
