Two police officers dismissed for armed robbery, official corruption, illegal duty

Etim Ekpimah

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command comprising Lagos and Ogun States, AIG Ari Muhammed Ali, PhD, has ordered the dismissal of AP. No. 279495 Inspector Sunday Adetoye and AP. No. 223521 Inspector Ogunleye Stephen was attached to the Zonal Command Headquarters Onikan Lagos for the offences of armed robbery, official corruption and illegal duty.

This was contained in a statement issued by Sp. Umma Tunni Ayuba, Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan-Lagos, on Thursday.

“The erring officers, who were at the time facing trial for a similar offence, on November 23, 2023, at about 2200hrs, went in the company of three others; two members of Vigilante Group, one Semiu Afisu’M’, one Abidoye Femi ‘M’, and one Charles John ‘M’ (the driver), to the residence of one Taiwo Monsuru, ‘m’, and one Akintola Sunday, ‘m’, at Obada-Oko in Ogun State; armed with 2 SMG rifles and live ammunition, searched without a warrant where they made away with 5 iPhones, 1 Samsung smartphone, 1 Tecno smartphone, and 2 laptop computers.

“Police officers attached to Ifo Division mounted a roadblock after other residents of the apartment informed them of the incident with the description of the vehicle, which led to the apprehension of the occupants of the vehicle without ASP Ajayi Victor ‘m’ who led the illegal operation and is currently at large,” the statement read in part.

Ayuba stated that the AIG has directed that the dismissed officers be charged to court alongside the civilians involved, while he urges all officers and men of the force to remain professional in the discharge of their duties under the law, as anyone found wanting will be accountable for his/her action or inaction.

He further emphasizes that the current management of the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, will not tolerate any form of unprofessional and corrupt practice, while he implores members of the public to always report unprofessional conduct of officers and men, as the Police is always there for the protection of all.