DPO accused of rape still in detention – Lagos CP

LAGOS — The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko, yesterday, assured Nigerians that the panel investigating the alleged rape of a mother of three by a Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in Lagos was working hard to unravel the truth behind the claims.

This is just as the command has debunked reports that the DPO had been released from custody. Rather, it maintained that the DPO was still in the cell.

Also, the command debunked reports that robbers, Monday, raided for several hours un-challenged in Mushin area of Lagos.

Answering questions from newsmen on the DPO and another policeman posted on YouTube battering a woman, Manko said the command would not shield anyone, be he a civilian or policeman, that committed a crime.

“Anyone who offends the law faces the wrath of the law, policemen inclusive. Investigation is still ongoing by the panel set up by the Inspector-General of Police.

“Also, the policeman that was posted on YouTube battering a lady, has been arrested and is still being detained.”

Mushin clash not robbery

He, however, clarified that the Mushin reported robbery was not true after all. Rather, he explained that it was a fight among rival groups over supremacy.

He said: “There is no way robbers can come and hold Lagos to ransom for seven hours without Police being there.

“What happened in Mushin was a disagreement between two groups that were fighting for supremacy. One group took money from somebody and refused to share for the other one.

“It was in this process they had an encounter. It happened in the morning and at night. They had a carnival and used the opportunity of the night to launch attack on each other.

“The Police were there and the situation was brought to normalcy. Robbers cannot rob for seven minutes without police responding, let alone for seven hours.”

DPO still in cell

Spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent of Police,DSP, said: “The DPO is still in our detention. He is in the cell at Area ‘F’. It is not possible to release a man with such magnitude of allegation bothering on rape.”

Braide said the Police High Command investigating panel set up to look into the matter has not submitted its report, arguing that the DPO would not have been released when the panel has just commenced investigation.

In another development, Manko commended Lagosians for partnering with the command to fight crime. He gave the commendation during the inauguration of a training and administrative building built by the Lagos State Police Traffic Division, Awolowo Road, Ikeja.

Represented by the Area F Commander, Mr Tunde Adagunduro, he described the building as a manifestation of police relations and  friendship with members of the public.

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