The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg, in partnership with the South African Police, has arrested four police officers for allegedly beating a Nigerian into a coma.

The Nigerian News Agency reported that the policemen were arrested on Wednesday at the Boksburg North Police Station by the Independent Police Investigation Directorate.

The arrest, NAN learned, followed a complaint filed by the consulate about the assault that was said to have incapacitated the victim.

A consulate official, Elizabeth Wale-Ayodele, recalled that the incident occurred on January 9 in Boksburg.

She said: “Two weeks ago, on January 9, 2023, a Nigerian was assaulted by four police officers in Boksburg. We received this at the consulate and immediately the CG (Consul General), Mr. Andrew Idi, was here two weeks ago to visit the victim.

“He (the victim) was assaulted, thoroughly beaten, even when he complained of having kidney problems. He fell into a coma and was in a coma for nine days.

“So when he came out of the coma, the HQ was there to visit him and we opened the case with IPID. The consulate has followed the case so far.

“We are happy to see this happen. We are happy to see that Nigerians are not attacked and the perpetrators get away with it.

“We are happy to see that justice prevails. We are happy to see that the consulate has worked on this day and night. We are happy to see the result.”

Consulate officials were present during the arrest by IPID, the police watchdog.

NAN has learned that the four officers, who were arrested in connection with the assault on the Nigerian, face charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and frustrate the ends of justice.

Two other police officers were arrested for alleged theft of copper and attack for the purposes of justice.

NAN also learned that the six policemen would be prosecuted on Thursday.

The policemen who assaulted the Nigerian were said to have demanded the identification documents of the victim and his friends.

IPID spokeswoman Lizzy Suping said the victim was arrested and taken to the police station when she was unable to present the required documents.

He said that officers from the police station later assaulted and tortured him and took him to hospital, where he was in a coma for nine days.

The suspects, he added, would be arraigned at the Boksburg Magistrates Court on Thursday.

YAYA