Church Trip Turns Violent: Security Operatives Assault Man in Front of Family, Activist Demands Accountability [VIDEO]

 

A Sunday morning meant for worship turned into a harrowing ordeal for a family, as security personnel reportedly assaulted a man in front of his wife and child. The incident, which has sparked public outrage, was brought to light by human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu, who condemned the actions of the officers involved.

The family was en route to church on Sunday, May 11, when they encountered men from Operation Sweep, a security task force established to combat rising insecurity in the region. Instead of providing protection, however, the operatives allegedly subjected the father, who was behind the wheel of his car, to violent treatment in the presence of his visibly distressed family.

A video shared by Gwamnishu captures the tense and emotional scene. The man's wife is heard crying out in disbelief, her voice shaking as she appeals to the operatives: “You are beating my husband! You are supposed to be protecting us. We are going to church. We are on the street.” Her words were filled with both shock and desperation, as the officers continued their actions with little regard for the family's emotional trauma.

The footage shows one of the operatives, dressed in military-style camouflage, engaging physically with the driver. The man, whose hands were raised in a non-threatening manner, could be heard saying, “I dey respect your uniform,” a clear attempt to de-escalate the situation. Despite this plea, the confrontation escalated, leaving onlookers stunned and his family in visible distress.

Perhaps the most heart-wrenching part of the video came from the backseat of the car, where the couple’s young son could be seen sobbing as he witnessed his father being assaulted. His cries pierced the chaos—a painful reminder of the emotional toll such incidents inflict on innocent bystanders, especially children.

Activist Harrison Gwamnishu, known for his vocal advocacy against human rights abuses, expressed deep concern over the incident. He questioned the priorities of Operation Sweep, which was originally deployed to neutralize criminal elements, particularly kidnappers operating in forested areas of the state. Gwamnishu lamented that instead of focusing their energy on apprehending those posing real threats to society, some members of the force have turned their attention to intimidating and violating law-abiding citizens.

“This is not what they were assigned to do. Their duty is to secure lives, not traumatize families,” Gwamnishu stated in a video accompanying the post. “How did we go from chasing criminals in the forests to dragging a father from his car on a Sunday morning in front of his child?”

His remarks have ignited conversations across social media, with many Nigerians calling for urgent action to address the behavior of rogue security operatives. Public trust in security agencies continues to erode amid growing concerns over unchecked power, lack of accountability, and a rising number of abuse cases targeting everyday citizens.

Calls have been made for the state government to immediately investigate the incident and take disciplinary action against the officers involved. Activists are also demanding that proper psychological evaluations and human rights training be mandatory for members of such task forces, especially those operating in civilian areas.

Residents are increasingly wary, fearing that the very institutions meant to protect them may be contributing to a culture of fear. As more videos of similar incidents continue to surface, the public's demand for systemic reform and justice grows louder.

This Sunday morning incident is a sobering reminder of the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and a renewed focus on the protection of civilian rights in Nigeria’s ongoing security operations. As the man and his family attempt to recover from what should never have happened, the state must now reckon with the consequences of letting its protectors become perpetrators. 

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