Police sack four SARS operatives for robbery, abduction

Four policemen attached to the special anti-robbery squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos state, have been dismissed over alleged robbery and other crimes.

Adamu Ibrahim, the assistant inspector-general in charge of zone 2 command, approved their dismissal.

According to Dolapo Badmus, the zone’s spokesperson, the dismissed officers are Adeoye Adekunle, Adekitan Adebowale, Agbi Lucky and Odighe Hehosa.

She said the policemen were also charged to court for armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful detention, intimidation and threatening violence.

Badmus said the panel recommended them for dismissal based on the report of an investigation carried out on a petition against them.

She said the petition was written by Chukwudi Godwin Odionye on May 2, 2018.

“The petitioner stated that on June 4, 2017, he was in his house around Alagbado area of the state when four armed men stormed his house to effect his arrest on the allegation of performing ‘fake’ miracles,” Badmus said.

“He stated that after his arrest, he was taken to one hotel at Agege where he was detained and threatened to be killed if he fails to cooperate.

“He explained further that the following day, June 5, 2017, he was taken to the bank where he was made to transfer N7 million to the account of one of the operatives.

“On receipt of the petition, the AIG ordered investigation into the case.

“On the strength of investigation, it was revealed that no proper police procedure for investigation was followed in Mr Chukwudi’s arrest.

“The four SARS operatives actually abducted the man from his house and unlawfully detained him in the hotel under the guard of the suspects for personal gain.”