Woman loses pregnancy to Police brutality in Port Harcourt

A woman by name, Mrs Joy Ihunwo, has allegedly lost her pregnancy after she was mishandled by officers of the anti-kidnapping unit of Rivers Police Command.

Recounting her experience amidst tears, she explained that she was in her house on Tuesday, April 6, when men of the police force came in search of her husband.

She further revealed that when they could not get to him, they descended on her and beat her up.

She said that she appealed to them, telling them she was pregnant, but they ignored her pleas and continued to hit her.

“They beat me up. I told them I was in pains and that I was pregnant, but they replied that after they had finished with me, I would deliver my baby premature.”

“Even while I was rolling on the floor complaining that I was in pains in my stomach, they ignored my appeals to them that I needed urgent medical attention, they continued to beat me.

“They threatened that what I was going through was small compared to what they will do to me to ensure that I give birth prematurely”

She said the policemen finally got to her husband, arrested him and also insisted that she was to come along with them.

She further revealed that the officers brought her back to the house for a search. During the search, she said, they took the sum of N150,000 which was for the upkeep of the house and also carted away with her personal belongings including shoes, phones and wrappers.

Traumatized Ihunwo said she lost her pregnancy due to police brutality and seeks justice.

A lawyer with the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, Mrs Jane James, has called on the Police Authorities to investigate the situation surrounding the loss of Mrs Ihunwo’s pregnancy after she was allegedly brutalized by men of the Anti-kidnapping unit.