Nigeria, March 22 -- A Civil Defence officer who died during an encounter with police officers in Abuja on Wednesday was severely brutalised before he eventually heaved his last breath, his wife has said in a shocking narration of yet another instance of police ruthlessness.

Ogah Jumbo was driving to work with a plan to drop his children off at school when he was violently pulled over by traffic control officers for allegedly making an illegal turn at an intersection in Nyanya, a rowdy neighbourhood just east of Abuja, according to Ada, his wife who was also in the vehicle.

Mrs Jumbo, a schoolteacher, said her husband was stopped by the traffic officers after making a diversion near a Catholic Church in Nyanya.

Mr Jumbo pleaded to be l...