POLICEMEN INVOLVED IN OMOLE ESTATE FRACAS NOT FROM LAGOS STATE COMMAND – PPRO

The Lagos State Police Command has reminded members of the public that the obstruction of police officers from performing their lawful duties is an unlawful act punishable under the laws of the land. The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said police officers are empowered by law to use minimum force as it may be necessary to carry out their lawful obligations in the protection of lives and property, and to ensure safety and security of every Nigerian. CSP Hundeyin made the clarification in reaction to a video circulated on social media, about an incident at Omole Estate where some security guard prevented uniformed police officers from gaining access to the estate. Hundeyin said although the police personnel captured in the video are not serving with the Lagos State Police Command, they were clearly personnel on escort and protection duty to the State from other police detachments. In a statement, the PPRO said the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, expressed regret over the conduct of the Omole Estate management. He said instead of reporting their own side of the incident to the nearest police station or the Commissioner of Police, resorted to self-help on social media to cast aspersions on the Police Force. The police spokesman said the Lagos State Command wishes to assure all Lagosians that it would not cover up any wrongdoing by any of its personnel, no matter how minor or serious the violation might be. He also urged the management and residents of Omole Estate to report any incident of concern to the police and ensure to follow up on the investigation, instead of resorting to self-help. CSP Benjamin Hundeyin maintained that the Lagos State Police Command has commenced an investigation of the incident, assuring that the outcome of the investigation would be made public.