After TheCable’s report, Lagos CP vows crackdown on okada ban violation by officers

Abiodun Alabi, the Lagos commisioner of police, says his command will launch a probe into the report of officers violating the ban on commercial motorcycles in the state.

Alabi also said the command will look into claims of officers demanding mobilisation fee before handling reported cases.

TheCable had, in separate investigations, exposed some police officers violating the ban on okada, and those who demand money to track reported cases in the state.

Addressing findings of the investigations in an interview with TheCable on Thursday, the police commissioner said officers indulging in such “will not go scot-free”.

The commissioner also asked TheCable to send footage of the officers to him for investigation and prosecution.

“I’m not aware of any police officer who has gone against the traffic laws of Lagos state as far as the ban on commercial motorcycles is concerned,” he said.

“But if there’s anyone doing that and it’s brought to my knowledge, definitely such officers will not go scot-free because the law is no respecter of anyone.

“Everybody has to obey the law. There no exception to that. The only exception we gave them is that if they are going to work and want to use motorcycles, they must be in their uniforms and they must not carry any passenger.

“So, if anyone goes contrary to that and is caught, such person will face the music.

“Let us have their identities because we have dealt with some of our colleagues in other agencies who were using their motorcycles for commercial purposes and were captured on video.

“When we saw that, we sent the videos to their commanders and they were dealt with. So, if you have any of our men doing that, forward them to us.

“Don’t hesitate to do that please, because it will go a long way to deter others. If we don’t punish them, they will encourage others to do same.”

‘DEMANDING MOBILISATION FEE IS WRONG’

On officers demanding mobilisation fee, the commissioner asked the public to speak up when faced with such situation.

“Let me say this. The culture of impunity is being encouraged by members of the public. Nobody can force you to part with your money illegally. You do that out of your own volition,” he added.

“If you visit the police station to lay a complaint and someone is asking you to pay money, and you’re giving them the money, why are you doing that? Why don’t you take up the matter and ask if that’s the convention, or report the person to his or her superior in rank.

“If any officer is asking for mobilisation fee before looking into your complaint, it’s absolutely wrong. And let me emphasise again that bail is free. If you pay money for bail, you’re on your own.”