BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—The Lagos State Police Command on Sunday said it has identified the Police Officer in a video currently circulating on social media involving a police officer in the process of subduing a violent bus conductor of a commercial bus in order to effect his arrest for an offence of obstruction of Public Officials, including Police Officers and LASTMA officers in carrying out their official duties.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement released today, that driver deliberately used the bus to obstruct traffic flow and thereby prevented other road users from using the public way and also caused traffic gridlock in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, causing serious untold hardship to the public.
“It was in the process of arresting the conductor that he stripped himself naked to prevent arrest and escape from the scene, and that was when the video was shot.
He however said that “Notwithstanding the behaviour of the conductor resulting in the ugly confusion seen in the video, the Police officer has been identified, and he is currently being investigated to determine the appropriateness of his actions in the incident. The conductor involved has also been contacted to also be available for an interview before the Commissioner of Police on Monday.”
He assured that the outcome of the investigation will certainly be made public. “However, the said bus has been impounded; it is now in custody for further investigation. “
The statement further said that Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, implore members of the general public to be law-abiding at all times; report promptly any conduct of violation of their rights by Police officers and be assured that justice will be done and the shortcomings will be redressed by the Police authority. However, unnecessary dramatisation against the Police officer seen in the video is not acceptable under the law. Resisting lawful arrest is also a criminal offence under the law of the land.
“Once again, the Lagos State Police Command wishes to assure the general public that this matter will be thoroughly investigated and justice will be done. The Command remains committed to ensuring that the conduct and behaviour of Police personnel conform with the law for proper transparency and accountability to the public that we serve.”
