A barber has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to enforce his fundamental rights after he allegedly lost his left eye when a tear gas canister was fired during New Year crossover operations in Bwari Area Council.
Abraham Emmanuel filed suit FHC/ABJ/CS/256/2026 against the Nigeria Police Force and the Divisional Police Officer of Bwari Division, CSP Babayola Muhammad Musa.
The case was mentioned before Justice Yilwa Hauwa Joseph on Wednesday, and adjourned to 25 September 2026 for hearing.
According to court documents, Emmanuel is seeking a declaration that the firing of tear gas outside his father’s residence on Sabon Gari Road, Bwari, on 31 December 2025 was unlawful.
He argues through his counsel, Anthony Idanosi Eruaga, that he committed no offence before the incident that allegedly caused permanent damage to his eye.
The suit, brought under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009 and Sections 35, 41 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, also cites Articles 5, 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Emmanuel is demanding one billion naira (N1bn) in damages and a written apology from the police force and CSP Musa.
He alleges that officers carried out a raid targeting churchgoers, fun seekers and shop owners during crossover activities, and that the operation involved sporadic firing of tear gas and gunshots into the air.
He claims the canister struck him and caused severe injury to his left eye.
The filings further allege that more than 90 people were arrested during the operation, and that the arrests and detentions did not follow due process.
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Emmanuel contends the actions breached his constitutional rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement.
Speaking outside court, Comrade Chima Kenneth Emeka, president of Springs Aid Foundation, criticised the police force’s continued silence over the allegations.
He said the foundation had written petitions to the Commissioner of Police, the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police, including one submitted on 3 March 2026, without receiving a response.
"It is shocking that up till this moment, no action has been taken by the Nigerian Police Force.
"The continued silence of the police hierarchy undermines public confidence in the institution and exposes serious lapses in institutional accountability," he said.
He added that residents and youths in Bwari had staged protests over the conduct of the DPO, and that Area Commander ACP Fatima had previously assured protesters the complaints would be investigated.
Emeka also alleged that the officer had been linked to other cases of misconduct, including the death of Emmanuel Okpe and injuries sustained by Tasiu and Thompson Edeh.
He said evidence of alleged extortion had been submitted to the police but no action had been taken.
"The IGP has repeatedly assured Nigerians that the era of impunity is over. Justice must not only be done, it must also be seen to be done," he said.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and CSP Musa have not yet filed a public response to the claims as of press time.
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