The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the authenticity of a viral internet video which appeared to show suspected criminals writhing in pains after being shot in the testicles by policemen.
Online news medium Sahara Reporters had released the video on Thursday, although it was believed to have been shot between December 11 or 12.
Many Nigerians who saw the video had vented their anger, querying why the police chose to shoot the suspects in the balls of all places.
But the command spokesman, Geoffrey Ogbonna, who confirmed the video, said the suspected kidnappers were first to shoot at the men of the Intelligence Response Team of the Force that were trying to free a victim in the state last week, Premium Times reported.
He added that the suspects were overpowered by the police team and sustained injuries in the shootout they initiated.
Ogbonna reportedly said the kidnap team of seven abducted a 76-year-old hypertension patient.
He said the victim died of his condition in hospital after initially being responsible alive by police.
The suspects are believed to have tortured the septuagenarian.
Items recovered from the suspects, according to the police spokesman, include AK 47 rifles, ammunition and vehicles.
However, he reportedly evaded questions about why the men shot the suspects in the ball after overpowering them.
He also could not defend the caustic remarks directed at the suspects by the policemen who apprehended them.
The location and physical state of the suspects remain a mystery.
The Nigeria Police Force continue to be dogged by allegations of human rights abuses in its operations as reported by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other l