Edith Uduma, the policewoman dismissed for revealing an alleged rape incident involving a fellow officer, has threatened to end her life and that of her children if justice is not served.
Uduma, a former Inspector in the Edo State Police Command, stated that her dismissal was unjust after she recorded a viral video in October, which showed Sergeant Abraham in an inappropriate situation with a 17-year-old girl at the South Ibie police station.
In the video, the officer can be seen quickly adjusting his trousers while the girl lies on a chair.
After an orderly room trial, both Uduma and Abraham were dismissed. The Edo State Police Command accused Uduma of collaborating with her husband, Inspector Ibrahim Mohammed, to blackmail Abraham for ₦1 million in exchange for concealing the incident.
The command claimed that when Abraham offered ₦45,000 instead, the video was released online. As a result, Uduma’s husband was downgraded to the rank of Sergeant.
Uduma refuted the accusations against her, insisting she neither engaged in extortion nor was granted a fair hearing. “The Edo Command is aware I lack the rank or influence to defend myself,” she stated, noting that the Force Headquarters in Abuja was still investigating the case when the state command dismissed her.
Overcome with emotion, Uduma declared, “If Nigerians ignore my plight, I will poison my children and myself. I have been in hiding and separated from my children because of this incident.”
She claimed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) had initially instructed her to demand ₦1 million to bring Abraham back after he fled but later turned against her.
Meanwhile, the human rights group, Take It Back Movement, has filed a petition with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, urging a review of the case.
The petition, titled “Petition for Review and Reinstatement: Unjust Dismissal from Nigeria Police Force,” condemned the command’s actions as unfair and detrimental to justice.
Signed by FCT Coordinator Robert Ande, the petition stated, “Instead of praising her actions, Edith Uduma was dismissed, and her husband was arrested and detained.
The command’s conduct protects the perpetrator and undermines accountability.” Attempts to contact the Edo State Police Command spokesperson, Moses Yamu, were unsuccessful.
