“Policemen are servants and not masters” – Lagos CP Fatai Owoseni Says as Command Arrests 65 Personnel for Various Offences

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni says no fewer than 65 police personnel have been arrested for various offences in the last one month.

Owoseni told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the arrests were made in different parts of the state by the Anti-Extortionist Sqaud in the command.

The Lagos police boss said that the action was in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police on zero tolerance to corruption and unprofessional conduct in the force.

Owoseni said the squad arrested 33 persons as at August 8, 12 more as at August 24, and another 20 by September 8.

“Some of them have been recommended for dismissal; some to be demoted in ranks. Those involved in unlawful killing have been charged to court for murder. Some others are undergoing departmental orderly-room trials. There is no place for corrupt and unprofessional police in Lagos command,” he said.

As part of efforts to ensure that officers in Lagos keep to the ethics of the force, Owoseni said he embarked on re-orentation and retraining.

He said 75 constables had undergone training in arms handling at the Ikeja Police College, in a move to check accidental discharge.

He said every action of the officers and men would be accounted for, stressing that the second batch of such training would come up soon.

“The police must know when and how to use force and they will be accountable for any force used in the course of their operation. They are to use force proportionately. Their action should not make anyone orphan, widow or widower. Policemen are servants and not masters. That is the training we had and we must keep it so,” he said.