Personnel Face Dismissal, Demotion, Trial

No fewer than 65 police personnel have been arrested for various offences in the last one-month in Lagos State. The arrests were made in different parts of the state by the Anti-Extortionist Squad in the Lagos State Police Command.

Already, some of the arrested policemen have been recommended for dismissal and others are to be demoted. Those involved in murder have been charged to court while some others involved in criminal offences are undergoing departmental orderly room trials.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the squad arrested 33 persons as at August 8, 12 more as at August 24, and another 20 by September 8.

“Some of them have been recommended for dismissal; some to be demoted in ranks. Those involved in unlawful killing have been charged to court for murder. “Some others are undergoing departmental orderly room trials.

There is no place for corrupt and unprofessional po- lice in Lagos command,” he said. The Lagos police boss said that the action was in compliance with the directive of the Inspector- General of Police on zero tolerance to corruption and unprofessional conduct in the force.

As part of efforts to ensure that officers in Lagos keep to the ethics of the force, Owoseni said he embarked on re-orientation and retraining. He said 75 constables had undergone training in arms handling at the Ikeja Police College, in a move to check accidental discharge.

He said every action of the officers and men would be accounted for, stressing that the second batch of such training would come up soon. “The police must know when and how to use force and they will be accountable for any force used in the course of their operation.

“They are to use force proportionately. Their action should not make anyone orphan, widow or widower. “Policemen are servants and not masters. That is the training we had and we must keep it so,” he said.

– New Telegraph