ABUSE OF POLICE POWERS: Group Petitions Police Authority, Alleges Police Staions in Bode Thomas, Iponri, Meiran, Others of Extortion
By Kayode Adeyemo/LAGOS// A human rights organization, the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) has petitioned Nigerian Police Force, NPF Authority in Abuja over continuous abuse of police power and unconstitutional practices exhibited by the officers attached to Bode Thomas Police Station in Lagos.
According to a statement made available to SECURITY MONITOR by the right activist, his group has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Police Service Commission (PSC) and other authorities.
In a petition dated June 8th, 2020 and signed by the CHRSJ’s Executive Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman, the group alleged that “police officers in Bode Thomas are using police apparatus to kidnap and extort money from innocent Nigerians”.
“They are found of doing illegal duties, arrest and extorting money from the people with trump up charges and blackmail.” CHRSJ stated.
The group also appeal to the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu to beam searchlight into the activities of some officers in Meiran Police Station where one Saheed
Asimiyu with phone number;-08107283465, were allegedly arrested in June over Trump-up charge allegedly raised by one Omotola Aina.
CHRSJ added further alleged thatone officer Ade happens to be befriendiong the hairdresser, Omotola and conspired with Woman Police officer Folake phone number who can be contacted through mobile number 07061006690.
Comrade Sulaiman noted that Asimiyu was tortured and detained until the intervention of his group (CHRSJ.
The human right group also hints that one Inspector Monday from Ojodu Police Station with Phone number 08168071913 and his team, failed to properly investigate attack on one Ademola Azeez with phone number:-08028594042.
Calling on Lagos State commissioner of police to carry out proper investigation one Bolaji who called himself a relative of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker, House of Representatives, in Iponri Estate and Inspector Daniel of Bode Thomas Police State in a case involving a driver who attacked Mallam Mustapha Abdulfatai’( with phone
number:-08063137192) and damaged it but refused to repair it.
The case according to Comrade Suleiman was dismissed by the police just because they claimed associates of Hon. Gbajabiamila.
Inspector Daniel was alleged to have warned the Car dealer to desist from claimaing damages over the spoiled car.
Meanwhile, It furher alleged one Inspector Nasiru with Phone
number—08034254018 attached to Bode Thomas Police Station of leading
a team of Police to kidnapp one Michael Oluwaseun Ajala of No 24,Olowu
Street,Ikeja, Lagos with phone number:-08135080208 recently , on the
illegal instruction of one Alhaji Bolarinwa Raheem with phone
number-08185792544, the Manager,Total Filling Station,Olusosun
Bus-Stop along Oregun-Ojota road, Lagos.
The group alleged that the victim (Michael) was picked up by the Police on 27th of September,2020 around 9 o’clock in the morning and his family members were looking for him by visiting Mortuaries around the area,Ijora Police Station, Ojota Police Station ,Orile-Iganmu/Mile2 Police Station until the following morning when the Centre
Intervened through its leadership and Micheal was released by the Police at the Total Filling Station.
While reporting to the CHRSJ what he went through in the hand of the
Police on the instruction of Alhaji Raheem, Michael said that they
caused psychological and social trauma for him, for no offence than
help his father to pay sum of Thirty-Two thounsand naira (N32,000) to
Alhaji Bolarinwa Raheem few months ago at the Police Station and the
Police thought that he would still have money they could extort
presently after his father had travelled to their home town.
The group therefore called on the Police authority, particularly, the
Lagos State Commissioner of Police to fish out Inspector Nasiru and
his team for necessary disciplinary action.