In a shocking turn of events, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, has issued an immediate order for the removal of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Meiran Police Station.
This decision stems from serious allegations of extortion, where N200,000 was allegedly unlawfully taken from two individuals.
The incident in question involves an engineer named Ibrahim Saliu, who came forward with accusations against the DPO and his police personnel.
According to Saliu, he and his brother found themselves detained by the police due to their inability to provide identity cards and receipts for iPhones discovered in his brother’s possession.
Saliu’s narrative unveils a troubling sequence of events. He claimed that the DPO expressed doubt regarding his legitimate phone sales business and declined to permit his officers to accompany him to his shop for verification.
The purpose was to confirm that he genuinely sold phones and could produce valid receipts for the iPhones discovered with his brother.
What followed was both disturbing and unjust, as described by Saliu.
The DPO confiscated the iPhones, removed their warranty stickers, and categorically labeled Saliu and his brother as thieves and armed robbers.
Things took a darker turn when the DPO demanded a substantial sum for their release. Initially, he insisted on N500,000 for their bail.
After negotiations, he reluctantly agreed to accept N200,000, which was to be paid in cash.
In response to these grave allegations and to ensure accountability within the police force, CP Idowu Owohunwa, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, took decisive action. He ordered the immediate removal of the DPO from his position.
The reasons cited for this action were “leadership dereliction and supervisory ineptitude.”
The removal of the DPO is not the end of the story. Benjamin Hundeyin, the Command’s spokesman and a Superintendent of Police, confirmed that an internal investigation is currently underway.
All the officers involved in this incident have been identified and are currently undergoing an orderly room trial at the Command headquarters.
This development is a significant step towards ensuring that police officers uphold the law and serve the public with integrity.
It also underscores the importance of addressing allegations of misconduct promptly and fairly within the law enforcement system.
