36 Policemen Nabbed for Extortion
By Yemi Akinsuyi
Long arms of the law finally caught up with thirty six (36) policemen, who, inspite of the Inspector General's effort in cleansing the force from corrupt practices, caught in the act of extortion by the monitoring team of the police boss.
Addressing journalists on the activities of his Command in ridding it of corruption, Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Mr. Israel Ajao, while parading the erring policemen in Lagos yesterday said three Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) personnel and one civilian were also arrested along the policemen at various locations in Lagos for extorting money from motorists, commuters, and members of the public.
The CP, who said the arrests were made in consonance with the Inspector-General of Police's policy and the force's stance to fight corruption within and outside the Force, said the sum of twenty-three thousand three hundred and twenty naira (N23,320.00) in squeezed N20 and N10 notes were recovered from them.
According to him, one Inspector, 15 Mobile Force, ranks ranging from Sergeant to Constable, 13 male regular policemen of Constable, Corporal and Sergeant ranks, one woman Constable, four Traffic Wardens, two Spy attached to Apapa and Ajeromi Local Government Councils respectively, three FRSC, and a male civilian, who assisted traffic wardens to hide their extorted money loot.
Meanwhile, Ajao had earlier warned officers and men of his command against corruption, stating that there would be no sacred cow.
He made the warning during his last familiarisation tour of the state to Area 'E' Command Headquarters, Festac Town.
Addressing the officers and men of the Area Command, the CP promised to make available all the necessary logistics for the policing of the area, so that there would be no occasion or excuse for corruption.
In his words: "I know some of you have been hiding under none provision of enough logistics, especially police vehicle repair, for extortion. Let me tell you today that whenever you are sent out by your DPO or Area Commander without all these things put in place, tell them the situation of things, and they should write to the command's headquarters for them.
"But a situation whereby you still go out to extort members of public you are paid to protect, you be punished for it and I promise you that you will no go scot-free", he warned.
Ajao, who had earlier visited Comptroller of Customs, Seme Border, called for cordial relationship with the sister services, including the Custom, for a stable and secure environment.
In his reaction, Tahir Musa, the Comptroller, praised the IG for posting Ajao to Lagos, as he said the CP had acquired enough knowledge to handle the state.
He thanked the visiting Commissioner and promised his Service full support to the police in ridding the country of trans-border crimes and criminals.
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