While warning them about disturbing trends he had discovered among them, Owoseni threatened that heads would roll if policemen persisted in embarrassing and disgracing the police uniform.
His words: “I urge every one of you to imbibe a good
ethical relation with civilians. You should stop invading the privacy of
civilians by checking through their phones and laptops. Stop taking advantage of
your uniforms to extort civilians!”
Judging from the theme of his messages;
Owoseni was not happy about a lot of things. He said that he has been receiving
several complainants from members of the public and felt it was high time
policemen started putting their acts together.
He was however specifically angry over policemen continually wining and dining with suspected cyber fraudsters.
This warning came on the heels of the incident that happened at Iyana-Iba, where four policemen left their duty post at Badagry and came to Iba area to chase after a suspected fraudster, thereby shooting an undergraduate in error.
There was also the incident where policemen followed an alleged internet fraudster into a banking hall, to collect a bribe of N350, 000, forgetting that the bank’s CCTV was capturing the illegal transaction.
To ensure that he messages got to all policemen under the Lagos State Police Command, police representatives were drawn from all areas commands and stations.
Owoseni said: “According to the directives of the Inspector-General-of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, we want to drive home the message of zero tolerance for extortion, corruption and police brutality among our men.”
Owoseni didn’t mince words while he related the various complaints the command had been receiving every day from angry citizens. He said that people were continually complaining about how policemen were aiding the practice of internet fraudsters. Some also complained of being extorted when they go to the police, seeking solutions to their problems.
Owoseni said: “We are aware of some of the complaints made by citizens. We know that there are situations where some policemen abuse their uniforms by harassing citizens on the road. They check citizens’ phones and laptops, invading their privacy. They would later tag these citizens’ cyber fraudsters. It has also come to our knowledge that some policemen take advantage of lack of the public information as regards tinted glass permit, to extort citizens. Some policemen extort money from these citizens, instead of providing information to them on how they could acquire the tinted glass permit.”
The number one policeman in Lagos also educated his men on police relations with members of the public. While urging them to desist from corrupt practices, Owoseni said that it was police duty to inform ignorant citizens of their rights and assist them with helpful information.
He admonished the policemen to keep a vigilant watch on the family front, noting that criminals could infiltrate homes through kids and other members of the house hold, in order to undermine a policeman.
His words: "If your household is secure and your children are grounded on what they should do, and they don't keep bad companies, there would be no need to fear. All these criminals are seeking for your children in order to avoid being sentenced. So it's up to you. "
He also told them to live a Godly lifestyle as many had gone, stressing that those listening, were presently the few chosen ones called to lift the banner.
He said that many had gone due to the risky nature of the police job, adding that those alive shouldn't take life for granted.
He further said: “Unknown to many Nigerians, the police face a lot of problems. Most times, embracing God will help you to stay safe and strong. Desist from corrupt practices and make credible sacrifices for the police. Play your part for the police. Make a difference. Change people’s perceptions of the police. It’s up to you and me. Let’s not disgrace our uniforms."
The CP informed the policemen that meetings like the
present one would continue to be held in order to achieve and drive home the message
of a corruption-free and transparent Nigeria Police Force.
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