Landlords of 1004 Apartments in Victoria Island, Lagos have petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, over unlawful arrest and detention of some residents by policemen claiming to be from Special Tactical Squad of the Inspector General of Police.
The residents alleged in the petition that five officials of 1004 Home Owners and Residents Association (HORA) were unlawfully assaulted and detained for two days.
Titled “Illegal Use of Police to Harass Innocent Citizens”, copies of the petition were sent to Commissioner of Police in Lagos State and Zone 2 of the Nigeria Police.
The association, comprising about 6000 residents, alleged that the unlawful harassment was instigated by a tenant, Akinlosi Oyelokun, whose apartment was disconnected over two years unpaid service charge and electricity theft.
According to 1004 residents, armed policemen from Force Headquarters, led by Insp. Danladi Idah Yusuf, invaded the association’s secretariat and whisked away three staff to Bar Beach Police Station saying it was “order from above”.
Also, two executives of the association who attempted to secure their bails were also arrested and ended up behind bars for two days along with the staff, the petition said.
The residents expressed anger that a tenant owing service charge arrears and facing allegations of hacking and electricity theft involving bypass of smart metre could simply use his connection with police to harass Innocent citizens.
In an interview with NAN, Capt. Shina Akinfenwa, Chairman of 1004 HORA, wondered if the IGP could have indeed ordered the use of police for the execution of assaults on 1004 residents.
“Should the police officers be used as tools to harass, intimidate, threaten and assault innocent, law-abiding citizens? ” he asked.
Akinfenwa then appealed to the IGP to urgently address the matter in order to save his high office from dishonour and the residents from continued harassment.
