Fatai Owoseni: “I’m tired of officers who shoot innocent Nigerians” – Lagos police commissioner
Some Nigerian police officers seem trigger happy these days. Unfortunately, innocent Nigerians have been on the deadly end of bullets fired by officers paid to protect civilians.
And Lagos police commissioner Fatai Owoseni is sick and tired of the trend.
“I am tired of hearing about shooting or killing of innocent persons,” the commissioner told his men in black during a lecture on Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officers at the Police Officers’ Wives’ Association (POWA) Hall, Ikeja.
“No one has the right to take another man’s life. It is only God that has the right to take life.
“Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) should take note. I will not tolerate any act of indiscipline.
“Learn a lesson from DPO Ijeshatedo, who shot dead a fashion designer. He is in our custody and we are compiling charges against him. He would soon be arraigned in court,” he said.
Owoseni also had harsh words for officers who demand bribe and those he believed were on the payroll of alleged fraudsters.
“It is your responsibility as a DPO to know those who are collecting bribe under you,” he said.
“If you refuse to stop them, they will stop you from being a DPO.
“It is embarrassing to see policemen collecting bribes and chasing yahoo yahoo boys for a DPO. I would not cover any DPO. I will expose you. Just leave Lagos before I get to your station. I cannot share out of your misconduct. I will give your photographs and details to journalists to expose you.”
“I am shocked to hear that some Area Commanders and DPOs are on the pay rolls of fraudsters. I am investigating. Just pray that I don’t get you. Just know that you are causing pains for taxpayers if you are intimidating them and collecting bribe from criminals.
“It is a curse to build a house with the money. The building would collapse on your head. Some of you even take people to the bank to collect money. If you train your children with the money, they won’t be useful to you.
“If those who were in the force before us bastardized it, we would not have the opportunity to be enlisted in the police. I am tired of pleading with police victims because you are doing what you are not supposed to do. Remember, one day, you are going to die and give account to your creator.”
