By kawaekwune Jeffrey
The Lagos State Police Command has come under heavy criticism from a civil society organization for allegedly conducting illegal raids and extorting money from innocent citizens.
In a statement obtained, the Duty Solicitors Network (DSN) detailed incidents of alleged police misconduct that occurred between 11 PM on Thursday, August 8, and 6 AM on Friday, August 9, 2024. According to DSN, during this period, the Nigerian Police in Lagos State allegedly carried out raids in which law-abiding citizens were arrested and detained. Some of the detainees were allegedly released only after paying bribes demanded by the police.
Audio recordings provided to by a victim of the raid revealed the disturbing details of the operation. The victim described how she and her fiancé were arrested by officers from Ketu Police Station while waiting for a bus late at night. Despite being in the process of returning home, they were detained by policemen who were not in uniform and were treated like common criminals upon arrival at the station.
The victim recounted how the police had rounded up many others from various locations, brought them to the station, interrogated them, and demanded money for their release. Those who could not pay were left in the cells or risked facing fabricated charges in court.
The DSN’s statement also revealed that the organization had previously raised concerns about such police raids.
Bayo Akinlade, Esq., speaking on behalf of the DSN, criticized the Lagos State Police Command’s approach and style, emphasizing that the police are supposed to protect citizens, especially those who may be stranded late at night, rather than arrest and extort money them. He stressed that freedom of movement is a constitutionally guaranteed right, and the police’s actions amount to a gross violation of this freedom.
“We have approached the Lagos State Ministry of Justice on this issue, hoping that the police will be reminded that this is not a police state,” Akinlade stated. “The judiciary must remain vigilant because those who cannot pay to secure their release will likely be taken to court on trumped-up charges.”
Akinlade also warned that the police’s actions could lead to unrest reminiscent of the #EndSARS protests, urging the police chief in Lagos to reconsider the current crime prevention strategy and respect the rights of citizens.
He concluded with a strong demand for an end to police extortion, bribes, and harassment: “#EndSARS is still very fresh in our minds, and it would be unfortunate if the police were to spark another unrest, only for the government to turn around and blame the citizens.”
