Police disclose identities of SARS officers who harassed Lagos-based writer

The Lagos state police command has disclosed the identities of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) officers who, on Monday, confined Immanuel Ibe-Anyawu, a Lagos-based writer, to a bank’s toilet for hours.

Ibe-Anyawu had narrated how the officers humiliated him, accused him of being a fraudster, and eventually demanded money.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the police command said the officers are currently undergoing interrogation.

“The officers numbering five, are from the Ipakodo base of the Special Anti Robbery Squad(SARS) and not the Ikeja unit as was previously reported,” the statement signed by Chike Oti, the command’s public relations officer, read.

“The names of the policemen are Inspector Taiwo Omojope, Inspector Arigidi Ebibor, Sergeants Rotimi Adesoba, Olalekan Olakunle and Friday Oni.

“They are currently undergoing interrogation at the command’s  X-Squad Section  and would be matched before an Adjudicating Officer at the police provost department for the commencement of their orderly room trial.”

The statement, however, added that one Jude Akhoyemta, an inspector, earlier mentioned in the matter, was found to be innocent.

On Tuesday, Ibe-Anyawu told TheCable that had been called by the police authorities to identify the men who harassed him.

“I am on my way to the Lagos police command in Ikeja. I was called that the men are in custody and I should come and identify them,” he had said.

In December 2017, Nigerians started a campaign to end SARS and police brutality.