Lagos CP Tours Area Commands, Warns against Extortion

Insists bail is free, condemns tinted glass permit request  

Chiemelie Ezeobi

Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Abiodun Alabi, yesterday warned operatives to desist from any form of uncivilised behaviour, brutality and extortion of residents or face the penalty once caught.

He gave the warning at the Area G Command in Ogba, and Area H in Ogudu, during his maiden tour of Area Commands in the state.

Charging operatives to stay committed to their jobs and avoid bribes or forcing people to part with their resources, Alabi also kicked against criminalising civil matters by operatives, warning them to desist from involvement in such cases.

He said: “If a civil matter is brought before you, advise parties to go and sort themselves in court. Once there is no ingredient of crime, tell parties so. Do not input offence where there is none. You can intervene as a peacemaker but do not criminalise a civil matter.

“Under my watch, acts of brutality, torture or use of maximum force would not be tolerated. Work so that you earn the trust of the public so they can provide you with actionable intelligence.

“I want you to do your job with human face, do your job like a human being.

If anyone is arrested for any crime, deal with it expediently. Do not keep suspects in bailable cases. Over detention is unprofessional and unlawful.

“Relate with members of the public as friends. Cooperate with magistrates who come to your division to check your cells. Work with them because they are doing their jobs, they are not enemies.”

Stressing on the importance of not breaching human rights, Alabi also warned against accidental discharge and extortion of residents, stressing that such acts would not be tolerated.

“ I also want to warn that bail is free. If you want to work under my command, you must not collect bail money from anyone. I mean it and I will deal with any officer who collects money for bail because it is free.

“Another area of great importance is the area of accidental discharge. I don’t want to hear it. There is no excuse for misusing your firearms. Guide your arms jealously because if you misuse it, you will face the consequences of using your arms when you are not supposed to use it.”

At Ogudu, the CP addressed the issue of police harassment over tinted glasses for vehicles.

He said: “ I want to still re-emphasise that the police have banned the issuance of tinted glass permit and it is the instruction of the Inspector-General (IG)of Police that policemen should stop requesting for tinted glass permit from motorists.

“ If you are caught requesting for tinted glass permit from motorists, you will be dealt with.”

On challenges faced at the divisions and area commands, the CP said the IG Usman Alkali Babawas committed to their welfare.

He said: “I want to let you know that the IGP is working assiduously for your welfare. He has successfully achieved the request for the increase in your salary and they are working out modalities for payment.

“The IG has also succeeded in making sure that your salaries are not taxed. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and others have been properly briefed on the matter.”