The Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua, has promised a thorough investigation into a case of alleged police brutality that occurred in Nausori over the weekend. The incident involved Vilikesa Bari, a 21-year-old final-year maritime student at Fiji National University, who was reportedly assaulted by a police officer, leading to his hospitalization on Sunday morning.
Bari sustained severe injuries, including a broken jaw, which has made it difficult for him to eat. In response to the alarming situation, Minister Tikoduadua expressed his commitment to ensuring a full investigation, stating, “I’ve been informed about it, we’ll investigate it fully.” He added that this was the first he had heard of the incident until it was brought to his attention.
During a visit to Wainibokasi Hospital, Bari’s family raised claims of potential bribery, alleging that the accused police officer attempted to silence Bari by offering him $500 at the Nausori Health Centre shortly after the assault.
In light of this distressing event, the police have acknowledged that the behavior of some officers has negatively affected the community’s trust in law enforcement. Acting Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci noted that recent allegations of misconduct and inadequate service have harmed police-community relations. He emphasized that steps are being taken to restore public confidence, which includes implementing necessary disciplinary actions against officers involved in such incidents.
Raikaci expressed gratitude towards community members for their ongoing support, assuring them of the police’s unwavering commitment to improving service.
This situation, while unfortunate, serves as an important reminder of the need for accountability within law enforcement, and the assurance of a full investigation may reinforce trust in the police as they work to correct these issues and regain public confidence.
Summary: The Minister for Home Affairs in Fiji, Pio Tikoduadua, has committed to investigating an alleged case of police brutality involving a student who was assaulted by an officer and hospitalized with serious injuries. Amid accusations of bribery and diminished trust in the police due to officers’ misconduct, the Acting Police Commissioner acknowledged these issues and outlined efforts to rebuild community relations through accountability and improved service.
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