Five policemen dismissed in Lagos

This include a police sergeant identified as Daniel Osaimayu, who was dismissed for allegedly collecting N50, 000 bribe from motorists in the Oshodi area of Lagos State.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP, Fatai Owoseni, who confirmed the dismissal on Wednesday, said the four other policemen were dismissed for extortion and improper dressing, the Punch gathered.

The four dismissed policemen are Sulaiman Muhammed, Samuel Ando, Richard Ugwu and Michael Adeoya.

Adeoya was dismissed for allegedly wearing flip-flops while on duty.

Muhammed on his part was dismissed for allegedly not wearing police uniform while on duty.

Osaimayu, who was attached to the state Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, Alausa, was arrested on Monday by the X-Squad of the Command.

The X-Squad operatives had arrested a hoodlum in the area and found the cash on him.

However, during investigation, the hoodlum accused the police sergeant of being his accomplice.

Osaimayu, who was paraded on Wednesday at the Command headquarters, said the money was received from motorists in the area and kept with the hoodlum.

He denied that the money was collected in his name, and begged the CP to reverse the dismissal as he had no means to feed his family.

Osaimayu said, “I was at my duty post on Monday in the Oshodi area when the X-Squad operatives came to arrest me. It was around 10am.

“A hoodlum had earlier been arrested and searched, and the money was found on him. The suspect confessed it was the money obtained from motorists and he said I authorised him to do it. I did not know he collected any money on my behalf.

“I was whisked off to the command headquarters, Ikeja where they searched me but no money was found on me.

“The CP should reconsider me. I have family members to cater to,” he pleaded.

On his part, Muhammed, who was attached to the Idimu Police Division, said he had a health challenge and was going to treat himself when he was arrested.

He said, “I was on night duty at a politician’s house in Idimu. I had an asthmatic attack and I was going to get my inhaler. Someone gave me a ride to Idimu.

“I was going to the police station when they arrested me for improper dressing. I am not into extortion. I was dealing with my health challenge,” he added, pleading for mercy.

Adeoya, who was arrested for wearing flip-flops said, “I boarded a tricycle to the Mile 12 area. As I alighted, the X-Squad officials swooped on me and said I was improperly dressed. But I was not on duty. I worked as a guard to a chairman of a political party in the Kosofe area.

“As of the time of my arrest, I was going to the market to buy food supplements for my fowls. I rear fowls in my house. I was surprised that I was arrested.

After I was interrogated, they said I would be tried for improper dressing. There is nobody to feed my fowls. They would have all died by now.”

The CP restated that the NPF was a professional organisation which would not condone any act of indiscipline or crime.

Credit: The Punch