By Dada Ahmed.
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara state,CP Tuesday Assayomo,has directed the arrest and departmental orderly room trial of police men for assaulting citizens in Ilorin,the state capital.
The Commissioner of Police gave the order on Wednesday in Ilorin in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Police Command in the state of,SP Ajayi Okasanmi and a copy at the disposal of The Reporters.
The police commissioner said his directive was sequel to a video trending on some social media platforms, where a young man, Adeleke Ridwan(22) and his elder brother, Adeleke Habeeb, both cloth sellers in Challenge area of Ilorin, were accosted by men of the Kwara State Command’s Anti Robbery team along Unity roundabout Ilorin, who were on a routine check.
Assayomo noted that the boys were manhandled and slapped by a member of the Anti- Robbery team, Inspector Aigbobahi Ogbemudia.
Assayomo said:”The command wishes to state, emphatically, that the policeman has no right to hit or assault any citizen, regardless of his status ,even as a suspect under investigation.”
Assayomo, therefore, directed that the erring policemen, who have been arrested and identified by the victims, be detained and departmental orderly room trial commenced immediately, assuring that
appropriately punishment would be apportioned accordingly to serve as a deterrent to others.
He advised members of the public to be vigilant and responsive to happenings around them at all times and assured them of the determination of the police authorities in the state, not only be seen to be waging war against criminals, but also to be seen to be above board in the discharge their duties with human face.
Assayomo promised that the police personnel,under his command,would continue to protect the fundamental rights of the citizens in line with global best practices.