By Evelyn Usman & Esther Onyegbula
Four operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, have been dismissed over alleged kidnap, unlawful detention and extortion of N7 million from one Mr. Chukwudi Godwin Odionye, popularly called Bishop, in Ajagbandi area of Lagos.
Dismissed SARS operatives
The victim, Bishop, in a petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Adamu Ibrahim, said the SARS operatives from Ikeja, stormed his residence on June 4, to effect his arrest over allegation that he was performing ‘fake’ miracles.
He said rather than being taken to a police station, the operatives took him to hotel in Agege area of the state, where he was detained and threatened with death if he did not cooperate.
Next day, he said, the operatives— Sergeants Adeoye Adekunle, Adeniran Adebowale, Agbi Lucky and Odighe Hehosa— followed him to a bank where he was made to transfer N7 million into one of the operatives’ accounts.
Probe
On receipt of investigation, the AIG, according to the zonal spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Dolapo Badmus, ordered an investigation into the allegation, during which it was discovered that the policemen did not follow proper Police procedure for investigation in the victim’s arrest.
She further stated that the four SARS operatives actually abducted the victim from his house and unlawfully detained him in the hotel under their guard, for personal gain.
According to Badmus, “the Assistant Inspector General in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Adamu Ibrahim, has upheld the recommendation of the Police disciplinary body that recommended dismissal of four policemen attached to Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, Lagos SARS.
“They (operatives) were subsequently found guilty, during the orderly room trial, of professional misconduct, corrupt practices and discreditable conduct, were dismissed and consequently charged to court on criminal charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful detention, stealing, intimidation and threatening violence.”
Badmus, who reiterated the AIG’s directive that the Force will not tolerate any act of misconduct that undermines the value of international best practices of policing, said any policeman found guilty would not be spared.