An Abuja-based barber, Abraham Emmanuel, has filed a ₦1 billion lawsuit against the Nigeria Police Force and the Divisional Police Officer of Bwari Division, CSP Babayola Muhammad Musa, after allegedly losing his left eye during a police operation on New Year’s Eve.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/256/2026, was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009. Emmanuel is asking the court to enforce his fundamental human rights and declare the police action unlawful.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on December 31, 2025, in Bwari Area Council during crossover operations into the New Year. Emmanuel said police officers from the Bwari Division carried out a raid targeting churchgoers, fun seekers, and shop owners celebrating the New Year.
He alleged that officers fired tear gas canisters and gunshots into the air, causing panic among residents along Sabon Gari Road, Bwari. While standing in front of his father’s residence, Emmanuel said one of the tear gas canisters struck him directly in the left eye, causing severe injury and permanent loss of vision.
“The applicant, through his counsel, Anthony Idanosi Eruaga Esq., contended that he committed no offence known to law before the incident that allegedly resulted in the permanent damage to his eye”.
In the originating motion, Emmanuel is seeking a declaration that the firing of tear gas in front of his father’s residence was “unlawful, illegal, null, and void”. He is also demanding ₦1 billion in damages for the violation of his rights to dignity and personal security, guaranteed under Sections 35, 41, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 5, 6, and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
In addition to the monetary claim, Emmanuel is asking the court to compel the Nigeria Police Force and CSP Musa to issue a written apology over the incident.
Eyewitness accounts obtained by Sahara Reporters described the operation as a “night raid” in Sabon Gari, with one witness saying the DPO was present and fired the canister. Medical reports attached to the filings indicate Emmanuel underwent multiple surgeries but could not restore vision in the affected eye.
The barber said the injury has rendered him unable to continue his trade, which was his primary source of income, and has caused him ongoing psychological distress….See More
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