By Dansu Peter
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| Not The Suspect File Photo |
The Police Authority in Lagos has reportedly freed one sergeant identified as Agu who manhandled and slapped a Divisional Police Office who attempted to arrest after he was allegedly caught smoking Indian hemp at a function on Lagos Island.
According to Punch Newspaper, the sergeant allegedly slapped the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Lion Building Police Division, Lagos State, who attempted to arrest him at the scene.
The sergeant was also said to be armed and drunk.
It was gathered that a resident had alerted the Area Commander, Area A Command, ACP Sola Akinyede, aka Solebo, to the conduct of the policeman at the event.
It was said that the commander directed the DPO to go to the area and pick up the erring cop.
Our correspondent was told that Agu went haywire as the DPO, in company with some other policemen, wanted to arrest him.
He reportedly engaged the DPO in an altercation and slapped his face.
A resident, who spoke to PUNCH Metro on condition of anonymity, said after Agu was overpowered, a team of policemen went to his house and recovered some quantities of cannabis.
The resident said, “The sergeant was at the 155 anniversary of Epetedo on Friday, September 15. He was smoked from the beginning of the party till the early hours of Saturday. He shot into the air. Somebody called the Area Commander, who sent the DPO to the area together with some junior policemen.
“He manhandled the DPO and slapped his face. A police team went to search his apartment at the police barracks on Beecroft Street, Lagos Island. They found Indian hemp in his house. He was detained at the Lion Building Police Station. He was at the event on illegal duty.
“The police authorities have been pleading with the organisers of the event not to let the matter get into the public domain. The sergeant has been released.”
Another source stated that the policeman was attached to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters Annex, Kam Salem House, Obalende.
He said Agu was not sober when he was taken to the Area Commander, adding that a former Deputy Inspector-General of Police had intervened in the matter to let the sergeant off the hook.
He said, “The DPO met him smoking Indian hemp. He was arrested and taken to the Area Command. He was drunk and was still requesting drink in the presence of the Area Commander.
“He was detained and later released because a retired DIG intervened. He is still going for orderly room trial.
“My fear is that the case will be swept under the carpet in the end because of the DIG’s influence. Such a policeman does not deserve to be in the force.”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, confirmed Agu’s arrest.
He, however, said he did not assault the DPO.
“The DPO got a complaint from members of the public that a policeman was causing disturbance at the event. The DPO and some policemen went to the area and he was picked up. He was not caught smoking or found with any arm and there was no case of assault.
“A search was also conducted on his residence, but nothing incriminating was found. He has been released although he is undergoing an orderly room trial.”
Source: Punch Newspaper
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