The Lagos State Police Command has arrested an Inspector, identified as Taloju Martin; who was captured extorting the sum of N40,000 from a resident of Ago Palace Way, Okota, Isolo; in a video which went viral on social media.
This was disclosed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana on Sunday. Equally important, Elkana disclosed this via the verified handle of the Force on the micro-blogging site, Twitter.
12th April, 2020.
Press Release
Police Inspector in viral video arrested and tried for extortion
Attention of Lagos State Police Command is drawn to a video on social media in which an Inspector was captured counting #40,000 he extorted from the owner pic.twitter.com/q59VoU80gU
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 12, 2020
‘‘Attention of Lagos State Police Command is drawn to a video on social media in which an Inspector; was captured counting #40,000 he extorted from the owner of a vehicle… impounded for violating restriction of movement order. After analysing the video, the culprit was identified and arrested. He is Inspector Taloju Martin attached to Ago Police Station as Station Officer (SO),’’ Elkana disclosed.
Further, the spokesman revealed that the money had been recovered and handed over to the victim. In addition, he disclosed that the Commissioner of Police had ordered an investigation into the activities of cops in the Ago Police Station.
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‘‘The complainant has also been identified. The money extorted is recovered and handed over to him by the Commissioner of Police. The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu psc; has ordered the Deputy Commissioner… in charge of Criminal Investigation; to carry out an in-depth investigation into the activities of Ago Police Station as a whole.
‘‘Meanwhile, the Inspector arrested is handed over to Provost Marshall for Orderly Room Trials. Commissioner of Police has reaffirmed his stance against corrupt practices and impunity. Members of the public will be updated on the outcome of the investigation,’’ he concluded.
Meanwhile, the directive by the Police Commissioner for an investigation into the activities of its personnel in Ago Palace Way; is bound to serve as good news to residents of the area who have often complained of extortion; as well as other unprofessional acts by the operatives.
Indeed, rapper and record label executive, Ruggedman, had first drawn attention to the incident; when he uploaded a video of the arrested officer Martin on his Twitter page. The officer, who was caught on camera counting the money he had extorted; had no idea he was being secretly recorded.
Officer Taloju Martins extorts 40,000 from a man who went to get food yesterday Friday 10th of April 2020 at Ago Iwoye. He is the SO of Ago Police station Lagos and was caught on camera clearly. Please intervene.@PoliceNG @AcpIshaku @PoliceNG_CRU @ElkanaBala @segalink @NCDCgov pic.twitter.com/mYpuMkH23v
— RUGGEDMAN (@RuggedyBaba) April 11, 2020
Very good job, the immediate response of the policy organization is commendable, please ensure the case is followed to logical conclusions with despatch, In addition pls provide reliable platforms for the public to report similar erring officers, it is not everyone that is chanced to produce video evidence all the time.