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As Command Vows to Take Disciplinary Action against Officers
- Safiu Kehinde
A group of residents in Kwara has challenged a team of police officers deployed to their community to fight kidnappers.
The residents caught the policemen extorting motorists along the road.
As captured in a video shared on Instagram, the operatives had set up a checkpoint along the road with their Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) vehicle parked by the roadside.
One of the residents could be heard charging the officers to go to areas under daily attack by kidnappers and bandits.
“You were deployed to fight kidnappers. Instead, you stand here extorting motorists. There is no day they don’t kill people here. The road to Oko Aiyegunle, Obole, and Ebole are there. You didn’t go there but chose to stay in town here.” The resident said.
NPO Reports correspondent reached out to the Kwara Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adetoun, for confirmation of the incident.
Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday and shared with our correspondent, the Police spokesperson confirmed the incident.
According to her, the incident occurred along Osi-Eruku road in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The Police spokesperson disclosed that the state Police Commissioner, Adekimi Ojo, has ordered immediate investigation into the case while vowing to take necessary disciplinary action once the officers involved are identified and found guilty.
The statement read; “The Kwara State Police Command is aware of a video footage circulating on social media alleging that police officers on duty were involved in an act of extortion along Osi-Eruku road in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
“The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Adekimi Ojo psc, mnips has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident.
“If the officers involved have been identified; if found guilty, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
“The Command remains committed to upholding professionalism, integrity, and accountability in all its operations.”
NPO Reports that many communities in Kwara state have come under the siege of bandits who kill and abduct at will.
Just on Sunday, terrorists attacked Igbonla community in the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting several residents when they conducted an overnight raid.
The gunmen had reportedly stormed the community around midnight, shooting sporadically to cause fears among residents.
They had reportedly whisked away some of the residents.
“The attack happened on Sunday night. We don’t yet know the exact number of people kidnapped, but several residents were taken away,” the source said.
The incident has caused panic among locals, with many fleeing to nearby villages for safety.