The Assistant Instructor General of Police (AIG), in charge of Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, Mr. Lawal Shehu, has read riot acts to Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) , rank and file serving under his command to shun bribery and corruption or risk the wrath of the Police High Command. AIG Shehu who gave the stern warning during a meeting with officers and men of the command, comprising of Lagos and Ogun States police Commands, at the officers mess, Onikan, said that t police officers should still remember that the ethics of the force, demand that no policeman should be involved in any form of corruption.
He said: “I know that most of you are very busy and may have forgotten about the ethics of the force, but I want to remind you that even though, you are chasing after kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements, you must have in mind that bail is free. No matter the name you give it; whether it is mobilization fee or tracking money, you must not collect money, if you collect money, you have committed a crime and if you collect you will meet the wrath of the command.
I still want to warn you that any policeman, caught in any form of corruption will henceforth be treated as a saboteur. No more roadblock and we mean it. If you are caught in any form of corruption, you are on your own as you are a saboteur. “We have reinvigorated our X-Squad, so don’t be a scapegoat, let the Area Commanders and DPOs take back the messages to their subordinate as we are determined to wipe out corruption completely from the force.
I have warned you and don’t say that you have not been told. We mean business this time around “. Shehu also warned criminals especially armed robbers and kidnappers to stay clear of the command as: ” We are battle ready for them. It is either they turn a new leaf or they leave the State as we will use everything within our disposal to fight crime and criminality. There is no place for hoodlums in my command because we have all it takes to deal with criminals”.
Reeling out the achievements of the command within three months, he said that a total number of 143 suspected armed robbers were arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, while 11 armed robbery suspects were shot dead during an encounter with the police. “Also, 78 arms and 133 ammunition were recovered from hoodlums. Eight kidnappers and 134 suspected members of different cult groups were arrested. 134 armed robbery incidents were foiled in Lagos.
” According to him, the Zonal command charged 113 suspects to court and secured 35 conviction while 78 cases were still undergoing a trial. He commended the command for the successful 2019 general elections and charged them to ensure a crime-free Muslim and Christian celebrations, especially Sallah and Christmas fiestas.
“I commend you also because there is no more extrajudicial killing in the zone and you have shown respect to human right and dignity .keep on presenting our image as good policemen. Business is flourishing in the two commands, nobody is being harassed and that is what we want in policing of today. We should always be proactive”
he added.
