Group Petitions Tinubu, Alleges Police Misconduct in Lagos as Task Force Denies Bribery Claims

A non-aligned political pressure group, The Renewal Group, has called on President Bola Tinubu to set up a panel of enquiry into what it described as illegal and corrupt activities allegedly carried out by some officers of the Lagos State Police Command under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh.

The group disclosed that a formal protest letter had been sent to the President on the matter, lamenting that policing in Lagos is gradually becoming an embarrassment and a nightmare under the watch of the Commissioner of Police.

The Convener of the group, Lai Omotoa, speaking at a world press briefing in Maryland, Lagos, said enough is enough of the impunity and lawlessness allegedly perpetrated by the CP, Moshood Jimoh, and the Chairman of the State Task Force on Environment and Special Offences, Adetayo Akerele.

Omotoa alleged that a team of policemen has been deployed to 29, Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, preventing the property owner from taking possession, allegedly under the instruction of the CP and in collaboration with some top politicians.

He noted that the degeneration in the Nigeria Police has become self-inflicted, adding that some unpopular politicians are supported by the police during and after elections, thereby forcing themselves on the people.

He, however, acknowledged the critical importance of the police, describing it as a noble profession that must retain its integrity, while stressing that Lagos, as the “Centre of Excellence,” must live up to its reputation.

According to him, the primary role of a policeman is to be a peacemaker and an enforcer of the law, stressing that no nation can develop without an efficient and professional police force.

He further stated that the recent viral video involving men of the Lagos State Task Force was highly embarrassing, noting that the attempt to enforce the law on a road equipped with federal government cameras was unnecessary. He added that the Federal Road Safety Corps and LASTMA would have handled the situation better.

However, in a swift reaction, the Lagos State Task Force said its attention had been drawn to a misleading and unverified video published by Objectv reporter, Segun Adewoye.

The agency stated that the viral video falsely alleged that its officials were engaged in the collection of bribes from a motorist, noting that the claim is entirely inaccurate and lacks any factual basis.

In a statement, the Task Force said it must be clearly and unequivocally stated that Adewoye’s failure to properly assess his immediate environment, coupled with his unprofessional approach to reporting, demonstrates a troubling tendency to disseminate misinformation in an attempt to influence public opinion.

It added that in a previous report, the same reporter had erroneously identified personnel of the Lagos State Task Force as members of the LAMATA BRT Monitoring and Enforcement Unit, describing it as further evidence of a pattern of inaccurate and misleading reportage.

“While it is acknowledged that the Lagos State Task Force includes police personnel, the agency maintains a distinct dress code that clearly differentiates its officials from conventional police officers. The individual shown in the viral video was dressed in an all-black uniform, which is inconsistent with the Task Force’s official attire.”

The Task Force reiterated its commitment to enforcing the law without fear or favour, in line with its mandate under the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, to maintain order and ensure the safety of all road users.