Ogun CP Warns Police Personnel Against Violating IGP’s Directives On FSARS

 

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun (second left) making a point while addressing journalists at the police headquarters in Abeokuta on Thursday. 

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji 

IBADAN - The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Edward Ajogun has warned the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) personnel in the state against violating the Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu’s directives banning routine patrol by the squad.

Ajogun gave the warning on Thursday while parading some suspected internet fraudsters at the Police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun state.

ENCOUNTER NEWS reports that Adamu had, on Sunday, announced the ban on FSARS and other tactical teams from carrying out routine patrols, stop-and-search duties and checking of electronic gadgets, among others.

The CP, who reiterated his earlier warning to the Command's tactical teams, warned them to desist from searching citizen's mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices except if it becomes necessary in the course of investigation of reported cases. 

He noted that, the IGP's directives have not prevented the tactical teams from working, adding that, the directives was to ensure that while working, their activities behaviours and decisions are in consonance with international best practice, and extant national laws. 

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He also said that his command would continue to ensure safety of lives and property in the state and deploy tactical teams at all flash point areas. 

He said that any personnel found violating the IGP’s directives on FSARS would be severely sanctioned, no matter how highly placed.

"In Ogun state, we have started to enforce the orders and directives. Monitoring teams led by the Command X-squad have started patrolling the entire length and breadth of the state for the purpose of effecting arrest of errant officers. 

"It is also important to note that, the Inspector-General of Police directives have not prevented the tactical teams from working. Rather the directives are to ensure that while working, their activities behaviours and decisions are in consonance with international best practice, extant national laws including the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Police professional ethics and rules of engagement. 

The suspects

"Also, that they are not to engage in illegalities including subjecting citizens to incivility and unwarranted degrading treatment. 

"Consequently and in accordance with Inspector-General of Police directives, tactical teams will only be directed to intervene in cases of armed robbery, kidnapping, Cultism."

Meanwhile, the state Police command has arrested seven suspects for fraudulently hacked into one Gbemisola Mosaku Jimoh bank account and siphoned the sum of N1.5million.

The Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun while parading the suspects said the siphoned money was used to purchase goods online including handsets.

CP Ajogun narrated that, the handsets were sold to a phone seller, Adewunmi Olanrewaju at Computer village, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said the police having arrested other accomplices in the case visited computer village last Monday with a view to invite the receiver for questioning. 

He added that, in the process, the phone seller raised alarm and mobilized hoodlums who were screaming #EndSARS to prevent his arrest and subsequently beat up the team of policemen. 

The suspects, Oshin Esther, Adeoti Busayo, Morakinyo Titilayo, Mayowa Morakinyo, Seni Habeeb, Tomiwa Adeosun and Adewunmi Olanrewaju have all confessed to the crime and would be prosecuted shortly.