Four Policemen attached to the Ijanikin Division of the Lagos State Police Command, have been arrested for allegedly robbing a Nigerian based in the Republic of Togo, Mr Theodore Ifunnaya of 350, 000 CFA
The suspects have been arrested and handed over to the Provost Section of the Command last Friday while the State Commissioner of Police , Mr Imohimi Edgal has quarried the DPO .
It was gathered that the policemen allegedly accosted the Victim at Iyana – Era, Badagry area of of the state on Monday,December 17, while conducting a stop and search.
The policemen were said to had subjected the victim, who was said to be returning from Togo to spend his Christmas holiday in Lagos,to torture when they discovered the money.
They were alleged to have bundled him in their patrol vehicle to Ijanikin police Division, where the victim was stripped and photographed.
According to the victim, after much torture and humiliation, the officers seized his money and invited a Bureau De change operator to the Division,who changed the CFA currency to its Naira equivalent.
Satisfied that they have subdued their victim with a threat of using his nude photographs on social Media as well as arraigning him in court for Cultism and armed robbery, they allegedly released him and gave him N2000 out of his money ,to enable him locate his Lagos residence.
Having gained freedom from his alleged police captors, Theodore was said to have narrated his ordeal to his family ,who reported the incident to the Area Commander, Area’ K’, ACP Hope Okafor,who was said to have intervened by recovering the said stolen Money and arresting the erring police officers.
Theodore said he relocated out of Lagos for fear that the colleagues and friends of the officers would come after him.
Police Public Relations Officer for the State ( PPRO) CSP Chike Oti who confirmed the story in a statement said four policemen were undergoing trial for alleged corrupt practice while the Commissioner of Police CP Imohimi Edgal has ordered that the DPO in charge of the station should be queried .
He stated that : ” The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Imohimi Edgal has ordered the arrest and trial of four policemen attached to the Ijanikin Division for an alleged corrupt practice and shoddy investigation. The officers, namely, Inspector Amiete, Sergeant Gbemunu Samuel, Sergeant Afolabi Oluwaseun and Corporal Adigun Omotayo had arrested Theodore Ifunanya , on the suspicion of armed robbery on December 17, and in the course of investigation, recovered 350,000.00 CFA from him.
“After the investigation, the said Ifunanya Theodore was exonerated from the allegation. However, when his request for the release of his money was not attended to, he called the Area Commander in charge of Area K Morogbo, ACP Hope Okafor, who directed that his money be released to him without delay.
” Meanwhile, the CP was briefed that the aforementioned police operatives were not at their professional best while handling the case.Consequently, he directed the head of the Command’s Provost Section to arrest, investigate and try the officers involved in orderly room and if found guilty, appropriate punishment will be meted to them.
” In the same token, the CP has directed that the DPO in charge of Ijanikin division be issued with a query and if his response is not acceptable, his conduct will be reported to the Inspector – General of Police for necessary action ” Oti concluded
