One Abike Adeola Animashaun, a pregnant Nigerian International student of Cyprus International University, with the passport number: A08086353, was allegedly assaulted and battered by Customs and Excise Duty Officer in Turkish Republic of North Cyprus on November 10, 2020.
The information was disclosed by a writer, O. I. Folarin, in an open letter.
According to the writer, Animashaun visited the office of the Custom and Excise duties, located at the Ercan Airport, along with her friends to find out about a shipment, clearing process and possible reason for Custom’s retention of the shipment sent to her from Nigeria.
Folarin stated that the victim’s facts finding revealed some stiff conditions imposed by the Custom and Excise Duties authority, which she considered unreasonable and consequently upon consultation with her broker agent in Nigeria, requested that the shipment containing hair extensions and cosmetics be returned to Nigeria through the same Turkish Airline that was the carrier cargo.
The writer noted that Animashaun’s appeal and plea to the Custom Officers was met with hostility.
He said she was descended upon by one of the Custom Officers who pushed, beat her and with further support of other two other officers assaulted, disgraced and subjected her to all forms of indignity to her human person.
He stated the the victim was left flat on the floor, gasping for breath, vomiting profusely, crying and wailing for help.
He said she suffered several reactions due to her pregnant state.
Folarin stated that he wrote account of what happened to inform the world about the brutality which did not just started happening today.
He noted that Animashaun is just one among many Nigerians who have suffered such precarious hostility in the hands of some of the custom officers of the Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus.
He said she was not provided with any medical help as she was laughed and jeered at.
He also said the victim was left helpless, hopeless having been grievously assaulted and brutalised.
Folarin said the event that followed suit was the arrival of police officers who instead of taking her to the medical heath care, subjected her to rigorous hours of questioning and interrogations despite her unconscious state.
He noted that there were charges filed against the victim and she hired a lawyer who represented her and was granted bail upon payment of bail bond of about 5000TL.
Folarin also stated that if the Nigerian authorities, including the Cyprus International University authority, do not interfere in the further humiliation of the expectant mother, she may be subjected to further agony, remand proceedings and a lot of other incidence of precarious trial.
He noted that at the present, the victim is mentally and bodily stressed and crying profusely for help.
He stated that medical check conducted on her revealed that her foetus (baby) stopped breathing for a while, which is very dangerous for the unborn child.
Folarin said the victim is calling on all well meaning individuals, Nigerian Government and Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey and the International community for help in other to save the poor lady from further agony of possible prosecutions which may bring harm to her or her unborn child.
He said Animashaun’s travel documents and Student Identity Card have been seized by the police authority in Demirham Polis, located at the back of Eruku Market in Lefkosa.
He said that instead of being the complainant on whose complaint charges are filed against the perpetrators of the assault, she is rather the one with pending charges.
Folarin added that before the victim’s voice becomes lost in the dungeon of silence, he beseeched all well meaning individuals, the Nigerian community, Nigerian Government and international human rights community for help.