The Nigeria Police Force has revealed that it arrested some of its officers extorting the citizens along Lagos-Ibadan Express way on Monday.
The Police Force Headquarters Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a post via his X, formerly Twitter handle on Tuesday, adding that he personally arrested the officers.
He disclosed the DPO in charge of the operation has been given an order to bring them to Abuja for thorough investigation and possible punishment.
While bemoaning that some police officers could be involved in such criminal activities, Adejobi noted the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has made it clear that supervisory officers would henceforth be held responsible.
The FPRO state further that the IGP has also directed senior officers to rebuke and confront any of our men who misbehave irrespective of his jurisdiction.
Adejobi wrote, “I personally caught some policemen yesterday while driving along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.
“The DPO has been asked to bring them to abuja. Then we know what to do. It’s disheartening to see some of our men extorting Nigerians. Personally, I feel sad, and I don’t like it because it’s a sort of oppression.
“The IGP has made it clear that supervisory officers would henceforth be held responsible. The IGP has also directed senior officers to rebuke and confront any of our men who misbehave irrespective of his jurisdiction. Every officer has the right and power to punish any erring personnel anywhere in Nigeria.
” We can not continue to overlook their misdeeds. This is the sacrifice and the bold step we must take. @arosolekan Thanks for your advice, please.”
Before making this revelation, Adejobi had made a post warning that both police officers and givers of bribe will be prosecuted.
This generated reactions from social media users with some questioning the integrity of the police to enforce the law.
The post read, “Both giver and taker of bribe are liable under the law. Stop it. Don’t give or take a bribe. It is criminal.”
One social media user who reacted to the post, @OlabiyiOlami, said, “God bless you sir for the courage you instill in us to fight corruption but it only works on “paper policing” not in reality. In reality if a potential giver refuses to give cash bribe then he should be ready to pay with his life or freedom. It simply means, it only works on X.”
Another user @rapinzy, asked, “Sir, what is the big deal in handling every DPO that his officers misbehave punishment and let us see how policing will change for good in Nigeria.
The police spokesperson stated further that “We have commenced that DPOs are being rebuked for any unprofessional conduct of his men. Every DPO has been ordered to lecture and muster them before deployment. But we need to discourage ourselves from dignifying the bad behavior or corruption.”
He added, “We will do the needful and brief Nigerians so that you will known that not all that glitters is gold, and the more you look, the less you see. We will soon have some case studies to educate and open our eyes to this corruption or extortion of a thing. Then we will get it better.”
