AIG Can’t Tell Us How To Do Our Work – Police Officers In Igando Dare

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The defiant police men mounting a road block along LASU-Iba Road, Lagos

Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Dan Bature’s directives that officers should no longer demand particulars of vehicle from motorists while on the road have been shunned by men of the Igando Police division in Lagos.

The officers insisted that the AIG cannot teach them how to their job in the area.

Our correspondent observed that the officers had ignored the directive and set up road block in front of NNPC Filling Station along LASU Road in Igando, demanding for vehicle particulars and as well collecting settlement from motorists. Among the papers demanded from motorists include import licence, insurance, and driving licence.

Officers engaging motorists along the LASU highway

One of the officers remarked that the AIG cannot stay in the office and will be issuing baseless order and if the criminals want to strike, they are the targets and victims.
He said what they are doing is to preempt the criminals before they strike in the area.
However, P.M EXPRESS investigation revealed further that both private and commercial vehicles were made to part with certain amount before they are allowed to pass.
Those who did not have their particulars were arrested and their vehicles taken to the station for negotiation and possible prosecution, if such person failed to meet their conditions.
The two-day intensive investigation by our correspondent also revealed that many of the officers and men in that area have stayed for several years and were familiar with the terrain.
Some of the residents who spoke to our correspondent said any of the officers transferred usually work their way and come back to the station because they find the area very “profitable” and they are free to do whatever they like.
“Even at the entrance gate of the station, a complainant are made to part with certain amount of money before being allowed to enter the station to make a report,” a resident alleged.
When our correspondent visited the division on Tuesday, he observed that some police men were busy at the gate demanding for settlement before complainants were allowed to enter.
Even our correspondent was made to part with money before one of the officers informed the rest that he was a journalist and they sent him away and prevented him from seeing the DPO.
When the Lagos Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, DSP Dolapo Badmos was contacted concerning the road block and toll at the station, she did not pick her calls.
However, Badmos had earlier restated that the issue of road block had since been foreclosed as it had been banned long ago by the police.
This was revalidated by AIG Bature who said any police officers demanding vehicles particulars are doing illegal duty.
He said the duty of police is not to check particulars but enable safer roads.
Bature warned police officers against blocking highways, saying police patrol vehicles were not supposed to be toll gates against the directive of the Inspector General of Police.