The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed five of its officers, including a Sergeant, Daniel Osaimayu, for collecting a N50,000 bribe from motorists in the Oshodi area of the state, Punch reports.
The other four officers dismissed are Samuel Ando, Michael Adeoya, Richard Ugwu and Sulaiman Muhammed.
It was learnt that Osaimayu, who was attached to the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, Alausa, was reportedly arrested by the X-Squad of the Command in Oshodi.
It was further gathered that a known hoodlum in the area was arrested and some money was found on him. However, he confessed that the police sergeant gave him the money to keep for him.
The State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, stated the officers were dismissed for extortion and improper dressing.
Adeoya was allegedly dismissed for wearing flip-flops while on duty, while Muhammed was dismissed for allegedly not wearing police uniform while on duty.
While he was being paraded, Osaimayu pleaded that the money that was found with the hoodlum was not collected in his name, while pleading with Owoseni to reverse his dismissal as he had no other means of feeding his family.
“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 stated 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. They searched me, but no money was found on me. The CP should reconsider me. I have family members to cater to.”
Adeoya, who was arrested for wearing flip-flops, denied that he was on duty at that time, adding that he went to the Mile 12 Market to buy food supplements for his fowls.
“I boarded a tricycle to the Mile 12 area. As I alighted, the X-Squad officials swooped on me and stated 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 stated I would be tried for improper dressing. There is nobody to feed my fowls. They would have all died by now.”
Another dismissed officer, Muhammed, who was attached to the Idimu Police Division, stated he had a health challenge and was going to treat himself when he was arrested.
“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.”