Photo: How Navy Man Turned Policeman Blind.

Policeman, ASP Emmanuel Mbilla has reportedly lost his sight after he was attacked by a naval rating, Warrant officer Unaji Enejor, in the Kirikiri area of Lagos State.
Punch reports that the incident happened on February 22, 2014.
According to an eyewitness, the victim’s landlady, Mrs. Olasumbo Agunbiade, trouble started after a reckless driver drove into the policeman,Emmanuel’s wife’s shop at 25, Agunbiade Street, Kirikiri Town, Apapa and decided to leave without tendering an apology.

The Navy man who identified himself reportedly poked Emmanuel who also disclosed he was a police officer with his car key in the eye after he had challenged him of not apologizing.

On seeing the gravity of what he had done, the Navy man, Enejor tried to escape but he was later overpowered by the residents who gave him a hot chase.

The presence of his colleagues trying to scare the residents away did not stop them from taking the suspect to the Kirikiri Police Station, However the navy man it was gathered was later released.

Emmanuel who was taken to about four hospitals where he was told that he may never see again.A medical report issued by the Eye Foundation Hospital and signed by Dr. Olufemi Oderinlo, the Consultant Opthalmic surgeon/Vitereoretinal specialist on March 3, stated that the victim would need to be flown abroad for treatment for any hope of regaining his sight.

Meanwhile Punch Metro learnt that prior to the attack, Emmanuel’s left eye had already been damaged by Glaucoma.

The policeman, Emmanuel’s older wife, Patience, who said life has become difficult since her husband, who is attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba went blind is calling on well-meaning Nigerians and the government to come to their rescue.

She said: “I am asking Nigerians, the government, and especially that of Abia State to come to our aid. We are asking Senator Uche Chukwumerije, who represents Abia-North, to help us. We have been seriously affected and we have spent so much on my husband’s treatment. Also, we are demanding for justice for my husband.

“The Commissioner of Police is aware of the matter. Nobody is above the law. My husband did not fight the navy man but is now completely blind as a result of a savage and brutal yet unprovoked attack. Unfortunately, he was released while my husband was still in the hospital.”

Meanwhile, Punch learnt that the navy officer who works at the Obisesan Naval Medical Centre as a radiographer, was released following a request letter dated February 26 and signed by Captain J.N. Manman for the Beecroft Naval Base, Apapa.

The police had concluded investigations into the matter and sent the case file to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

The DPP, in its report, stated that Enejor, with number M4351, had a case to answer. However, the naval authorities have yet to hand him over to the police.

The Information Officer, Western Naval Command, Lt. Commander, Abdulsalam Sani, said investigations into the matter had commenced and a board of inquiry was set up to make its findings on the matter and the culpability of the person.

“If the person is culpable, he will be tried and an appropriate punishment will be given to him.”