Wife of bedridden policeman shot by colleague, cries for help

Augustina Amadin, wife of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Amadin Monday, who was left bedridden after being shot by a colleague, has cried for help.

In an emotional interview with Saturday Vanguard, Mrs. Augustina spoke of shared how she had always been proud of her husband’s service in the Nigeria Police Force.

She recounted standing by him through numerous transfers across different states, managing the household while he served diligently.

The tragic incident occurred on September 26, 2021, when Amadin was allegedly shot by his junior colleague, an Inspector, at the Ezi-Nze division of the Enugu State Police Command.

Since then, the once-active officer has been confined to his bed, his left thigh encased in a cast, a constant reminder of the ordeal.

The family’s hardships have multiplied, forcing their children to abandon their higher education due to financial constraints.

Their eldest son deferred his Linguistics studies, the second son had to withdraw from Electrical/Electronics Engineering at Nasarawa State Polytechnic, and their third son, who scored 251 in the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Examination, couldn’t pursue further studies due to lack of funds.

Even their youngest child faced challenges, having to write exams in a village in Delta State due to financial difficulties. To make ends meet, all their sons took on menial jobs to support the family.

Despite reaching out for help, the family has received no financial support from the Police authorities, leaving them frustrated and disillusioned. Mrs. Amadin, the primary caregiver, is struggling to cope with the trauma and the added responsibility of caring for her husband and children.

The lack of assistance has also taken a toll on her husband’s mental health, as he grapples with feelings of guilt for being a burden and struggles to accept his new reality.

Despite submitting two petitions, dated August 10, 2023, and April 2, 2024, to the Police authorities for the erring policeman to be investigated and disciplined, no action has been taken. The Inspector who shot her husband continues his duties without consequence.

The petitions, dated August 10, 2023, and April 2, 2024, were addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Police Command, and the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Force Provost Marshal, Force Headquarters, Abuja, respectively.

It reads, “I hereby petition against [the colleague] serving in Ezi-Nze Divisional Headquarters in Enugu State Command for attempted murder, gross misconduct, discreditable conduct, malicious falsehood, blackmail, and malicious grievous harm from gunshot.

“He shot me on September 26, 2021. I was posted as an Inspector to patrol team A. He was not happy when I joined the patrol team to head them, and he became embittered to the extent that he picked up a quarrel with me and vowed to deal with me.

“On September 26, 2021, while returning to base at Ezi-Nze Division, he pleaded with us to follow him to see one of his brothers who visited the village from Warri.

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In his relative’s apartment, I sat on a plastic chair opposite him. I overheard him telling a mobile policeman guarding the house that he could not go to work without cocking his rifle.

Immediately I turned to his direction, I saw him holding his rifle firmly on his lap, pointing the muzzle at me. The next moment, I found myself on the ground, with blood all over my body.

“Three bullets hit me: one at my fourth left finger, the second one entered through the knee, shattering the femur bone completely, while the third bullet hit my stomach, destroying my vital organs.

It was a miracle I survived his onslaught. I was rushed to Our Saviour Medical Centre at 9th Mile, Enugu, where I was operated upon by Dr. Ugwu Emmanuel. I left Enugu on November 18, 2021, to Agbor, Delta State, to seek further treatment from a traditional medical bone setter.

“Thereafter, I went to Central Hospital, Agbor, for a check-up and was advised to go to an Orthopedic Hospital for proper management.

I went to Subol Medical Centre, Ikotun, Lagos, in February 2022, from where I was referred to Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, where I was assigned to the Trauma Department and admitted for surgery which was done on June 20, 2022.

“Since the incident, Inspector Christopher has not called me or contributed a dime for my treatment. I have sold my family house, three farmlands, palm tree plantations, and other property and also collected loans from banks for my treatment. I am now living at the mercy of good Samaritans, neighbors, friends, and relatives to sustain myself and my family.”

A beacon of hope emerged after 13 months of searching for money for the surgery.

Complete New Basic Life Skills Advancement (CNBA), a Non-Governmental Organisation, volunteered to cover the full cost of the procedure, just a few days after being informed of ASP Monday’s predicament. Consequently, the corrective surgery was carried out on April 13, 2024.

Despite this help, Mrs. Amadin expressed displeasure over the silence from the Police authorities, saying her husband would have died of pain if the NGO had not intervened. She appealed to the Police High Command to show concern for one of its officers.

“I am overwhelmed with frustration and pain as I watch my husband struggle daily with his injuries. Despite his dedication and service to the force, he was brutally shot by someone meant to watch his back.

“My frustration is compounded by the lack of support from the police authorities, who seem to have abandoned us in our time of need. I am angry that the authorities have not taken responsibility for their officer’s actions and have not provided the necessary support to help my husband recover.

“His sleepless nights, the constant pain, and the struggles to perform everyday tasks make me feel I have lost the man I once knew. We have spent over N10 million so far. I am therefore desperate for someone to listen and help us.

“I am personally using this medium to draw the attention of the Inspector-General of Police and the Chairman, Police Service Commission, to my husband’s plight so that the policeman who intended to kill my husband will be brought to book, along with those trying to cover up this matter.”

A glimmer of hope emerged when a Non-Governmental Organisation, Complete New Basic Life Skills Advancement (CNBA), volunteered to cover the full cost of the corrective surgery. The surgery, carried out on April 13, 2024, was a significant relief for the family after months of financial struggle.

However, Mrs. Amadin expressed disappointment over the silence from the Police authorities, emphasizing that her husband would have succumbed to his injuries without the NGO’s intervention. She urged the Police High Command to show compassion for one of its officers and ensure justice is served.

She concluded by appealing to the Inspector-General of Police and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission to address the matter promptly, holding the responsible officer accountable and seeking justice for her husband.