The Nigerian Police in Lagos has dismissed four officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zone 2 command in Lagos, Adamu Ibrahim on Sunday, July 22, stated that the officers are to be sacked.
A statement by the police public relations officer, Dolapo Badmus, said the SARS officials were dismissed and subsequently charged to court on offences of armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful detention, intimidation and threatening violence against residents.
Badmus said the arrest of the SARS operatives followed an investigation carried out against them when one Chukwudi Godwin Odionye popularly referred to as ‘Bishop’ wrote a petition against them.
His petition stated:
“on the 4th of June 2017, he was in his house around Alagbado Lagos when the four armed men stormed his house to effect his arrest on the allegation of performing ‘FAKE’ miracles,” the statement said.
He stated that after his arrest, he was taken to one hotel at Agege where he was detained and threatened to be killed if he fails to cooperate. He explained further that on the following day 5th June 2017, he was taken to bank where he was made to transfer seven million Naira to one of the operative’s account.
On the receipt of the petition the AIG ordered Investigation into the case. On the strength of Investigation it was revealed that no proper police procedure for Investigation was followed in Mr Chukwudi’s arrest and that the four SARS operatives actually abducted the man from his house and Unlawfully detained him in the hotel under the guard of the suspects for personal gain.
The officers dismissed are sergeants Adeoye Adekunle, Adeniran Adebowale, Agbi Lucky and Odighe Hehosa.
“They were also found guilty during the orderly room trial for professional misconduct, corrupt practices and discreditable conduct were dismissed and consequently charged to court on criminal charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful detention, stealing, intimidation and threatening violence,” Badmus said. She added that the force will not tolerate any professional misconduct as anyone found guilty will not be spared.
