I don’t tolerate Police brutality – Lagos CP warns

• Says fake news more devastating than fake drugs

(Report by Udeme Clement):

“I don’t tolerate Police brutality unless such a case is not brought to my knowledge”, said, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Hakeem Odumosu.

The CP made this assertion during a courtesy visit by the Executive members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council, at the Command Headquarters in Lagos, yesterday.

The Police boss stressed that his Command is working assiduously to curb criminal activities in Lagos State and would continue without relenting in any aspect.

He said that it is the statutory duty of Police to protect the citizens, as such, he would not hesitate to bring erring officers to book.

Odumosu expressed strong displeasure on cases of harassment and intimidation of the public, assuring that such trials would be made public.

He advised the public to desist from engaging in argument with some bad eggs of the Command whenever they are in possession of arms for their own safety. Rather,
victims of harassment should get scientific evidence or video recording against erring officers. This, he said becomes imperative for such officers to be prosecuted in accordance with the exant laws of Nigeria Police.

On the issue of fake news, the CP tasked the leadership of Lagos NUJ to tackle fake news, especially on social media.

He pointed out:
“Fake News is more devastating than fake injection or drugs that can damage the society.
Fake news is like pulling the trigger of a gun; once it goes out; it cannot be retrieved. NUJ should come up with laws to guide the conduct of its members in the area of fake news”.

The NUJ Chairman, Lagos State Council, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi appreciated the conduct of Lagos Police Command during the election that brought him into office on November 26, 2020.
He also commended the CP for the giant strides recorded under his leadership since he came on board.

Speaking further,
Ajayi frowned at the manner some police officers maltreated journalists in time past.

On the whole, the visit ended smoothly. Senior Police officers in attendance were Ahmed Kontagora DCP Operations; Bassey Ewa, DCP Finance; Adegoke Fayoade, DCP Panti; Olajide Agboola ACP Administration;
Muyiwa Adejobi, Police Public Relations Officer; Olabode Olaide, Secretary to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police; Executive Members of NUJ Lagos Council and Mr Cyriscus Izuekwe, representative of Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria.