A police sergeant, Daniel Osaimayu, has been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force for allegedly collecting N50,000 bribe from motorists in the Oshodi area of Lagos State.
Our correspondent gathered that Osaimayu, who was attached to the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, Alausa, was arrested on Monday by the X-Squad of the Lagos State Police Command.
Punch learnt that the X-Squad operatives had arrested a hoodlum in the area and found the cash on him.
The hoodlum, however, fingered the police sergeant, who was posted to the area, as his accomplice.
The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who confirmed the dismissal on Wednesday, said four other policemen were dismissed for extortion and improper dressing.
Our correspondent gathered that the four dismissed policemen were Samuel Ando, Michael Adeoya, Richard Ugwu and Sulaiman Muhammed.
It was learnt that Adeoya was dismissed for allegedly wearing flip-flops while on duty, while Muhammed was dismissed for allegedly not wearing police uniform while on duty.
Speaking with PUNCH Metro while being paraded, Osaimayu, who was dismissed for bribe, said the money was received from motorists in the area and kept with the hoodlum.
The ex-policeman, who denied that the money was collected in his name, begged the CP to reverse the dismissal as he had no means to feed his family.
He said, “I was at my duty post on Monday in the Oshodi area when the X-Squad operatives came to arrest me. It was around 10am. A hoodlum had earlier been arrested and searched, and the money was found on him. The suspect confessed it was the money obtained from motorists and he said I authorised him to do it.
“I did not know he collected any money on my behalf. I was whisked off to the command headquarters, Ikeja. They searched me, but no money was found on me. The CP should reconsider me. I have family members to cater to.”
Adeoya, who was arrested for wearing flip-flops, denied that he was on duty at that time, adding that he went to the Mile 12 Market to buy food supplements for his fowls.
He said, “I boarded a tricycle to the Mile 12 area. As I alighted, the X-Squad officials swooped on me and said I was improperly dressed. But I was not on duty. I worked as a guard to a chairman of a political party in the Kosofe area.
“As of the time of my arrest, I was going to the market to buy food supplements for my fowls. I rear fowls in my house. I was surprised that I was arrested. After I was interrogated, they said I would be tried for improper dressing. There is nobody to feed my fowls. They would have all died by now.”
Another suspect, Muhammed, who was attached to the Idimu Police Division, while pleading for mercy, said he had a health challenge and was going to treat himself when he was arrested.
He said, “I was on night duty at a politician’s house in Idimu. I had an asthmatic attack and I was going to get my inhaler. Someone gave me a ride to Idimu. I was going to the police station when they arrested me for improper dressing. I am not into extortion. I was dealing with my health challenge.”
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