Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Nigeria Police have dismissed two police officers for alleged armed robbery, official corruption and illegal duty while launching a manhunt for the leader of the police robbery gang, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who is currently at large.
The defaulting officers, AP. number 279495, Inspector Sunday Adetoye and AP. number 223521, Inspector Ogunleye Stephen, attached to the Zonal Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, on November 23, 2023, at about 10pm, went with three others; two members of local vigilance group, Semiu Afisu and Abidoye Femi, and one Charles John (driver), to the residence of Mr. Taiwo Monsuru, and Akintola Sunday, at Obada-Oko, Ogun State; armed with two SMG rifles and live ammunition.
The officers and their accomplices allegedly conducted a search without a warrant, where they made away with five iPhones, one Samsung smartphone, one Tecno smartphone, and two laptop computers.
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, SP Tunni Ayuba, said the officers have been dismissed for the offences of armed robbery, official corruption and illegal duty.
“The policemen and their civilian accomplices were alleged to have robbed their victims, and the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, comprising Lagos and Ogun States, Ari Muhammed Ali, immediately ordered the dismissal of the officers, who were at the time facing trial for a similar offence.
“They were arrested when police officers attached to Ifo Division mounted a roadblock, after other residents of the apartment informed them of the incident with the description of the vehicle, which led to the apprehension of the occupants of the vehicle without ASP Ajayi Victor, who led the illegal operation and is currently at large.
“The AIG has directed that the dismissed officers be charged to court, alongside the civilians involved, while he urged all officers and men of the force to remain professional in the discharge of their duties, in accordance with the law, as anyone found wanting will be accountable for his/her action or inaction.
“He further maintained that the current management of the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, will not tolerate any form of unprofessional and corrupt practice, while he appealed to members of the public to always report unprofessional conducts of officers and men, as the police are always there for the protection of all.”
