04/08/2026
*PRESS STATEMENT*
*AKWA IBOM KIDS PRESS CLUB CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION OVER INHUMANE TREATMENT OF PRINCEWILL CHIMAOBI*
_Tuesday, August 4, 2026_
We are children. We are also journalists. And today we are angry, and we are sad.
We read the official update from Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation about Princewill Chimaobi, a young man who was allegedly forced into the trunk of a tinted Toyota Camry by police officers attached to Ihiagwa Divisional Headquarters in Imo State.
According to the account, Princewill had only gone out to charge his phone. He asked why he was being arrested. He said nothing was found on him. The police themselves confirmed nothing was found. Yet he was dragged and put in a car trunk like luggage.
*We must speak up*
As the Akwa Ibom Kids Press Club, we believe police officers are paid with taxpayers' money to protect us, not to hurt us. That is their job.
We look up to our leaders as examples. If the people meant to keep law and order break the law, what are we, the leaders of tomorrow, supposed to learn? Is this the Nigeria we are being prepared to inherit? No.
*Our demands*
We call on:
- *The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command*: investigate this matter immediately, identify all officers involved in the arrest and treatment of Princewill Chimaobi, and make the findings public.
- *The Inspector General of Police, IGP Tunde Disu*: take immediate disciplinary action against those officers. If the law has been broken, they should face prosecution. Police brutality must never be treated as normal.
No Nigerian deserves to be treated like an animal, especially when no evidence has been found against them. Justice delayed is justice denied.
We stand with Princewill Chimaobi. We stand for human rights. We stand for a Nigeria where children can feel safe.
Signed,
*Etima Paul Bassey*
President, Akwa Ibom Kids Press Club
For: The Grand Assembly of Kids Press, Nigeria
