PETITION: Resident accuse Lagos police officers of harassment, extortion
"Should we wear rags out and look dirty or unkempt because we're scared of being harassed by the police?"
A resident of Idimu area of Lagos on Wednesday complained of constant harassment and extortion by police officers at Area M police station.
His story:
My name's Akinremi and I am writing this petition against a Police Station called Area-M, Idimu, There are officers in that police station who do absolutely opposite of the police job.
The level of embarrassment and harassment that these people cause has become very alarming, for crying out loud, they just get into yellow commercial buses and begin to drive up and down everywhere, even to
places where their duty doesn't call, just looking for young guys to extort money from in false and forceful ways.
Should we wear rags out and look dirty or unkempt because we're scared of being harassed by the police, or should young men not drive in cars again because the police would brand you a fraudster on sight? Why is this happening?
Their acts and deeds have become very annoying, I keep wondering; why would a police man check your phone, read your messages, check your pictures, and even send messages to your contacts. I thought we had freedom of movement and rights as civilians in Nigeria.
Why then should our so-called police men who are supposed to be protecting us be the ones we run away from. This should be stopped because it’s an absolute act of rights and freedom denial.
They collect bribes everywhere and refusal to give them causes them to lie against you and bring up false charges just in the name of their own selfish interest. This police officers should be stopped.
Few of them go by the names: Collins, Wunmi, Adebisi, Miss Grace, Tiger, Oba, Mukaila, Oracle.
These people are bad eggs in the Nigerian Police force and are not fit for whatever positions they hold in the force.
They are just a bunch of thieves in police uniform destroying the name of the force and dragging it in mud.
They should be dealt with. We've had enough. I hope this gets read by the rightful person who will make amends about this particular Idimu area M command Lagos.
CR Akinremi
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