A Lagos police chief abets thugs, says a resident

A Lagos resident alleges that Tunde Sobolu, a deputy commissioner of police harbor thugd

A Lagos resident has accused the deputy commissioner of police operations, Tunde Sobulo, of promoting brigandage in the state. In a narration sent to the Nigeria Police Watch, the resident explained how Mr. Sobulo commune and encourage thugs in his office.

“The deputy commissioner of police, Mr. Sobulo is not fit to occupy his present position as he is one of those fuelling and giving impetus to the hoodlums in Lagos for his personal gains,” the resident said.

The public relation officer of the Lagos police command, Samuel Jinadu, however, denied the allegations saying Mr. Sobolu has contributed immensely to the reduction of crime in Lagos and “cannot do that.”

“He is a man of integrity and I believe he cannot liaise with criminals,” Mr. Jinadu said.

The story, as narrated by the resident is presented below.

“Last Tuesday, some boys from Fadeyi led by Femi Akinboyeku, Muyiwa Sangowawa aka Big 90, Yinka Sobodu and others attacked a corporate transport office at No 44 Ikorodu road, Fadeyi and destroyed all its fittings.

The boys had demanded for N1.5 million from the business owner as prerequisite to start the enterprise in the area but the man refused to yield.

Before the, the boys – especially Big 90 – had for a week continually sent the business owner death threats threatening to “spill blood” at the premises if he fails to pay the money.

The man petitioned Lagos state police command asking the police prosecute the boys. The police approved the petition and dispatched a team of the state anti robbery team to arrest the culprits who are always armed.

Before the police got to the scene on Tuesday the boys had disappeared and the police left.

Do you know that when the anti robbery team and the petitioner got back to the state command with their report they were summoned to the office of the deputy commissioner of police operations, Tunde Sobulo.

Surprisingly, the petitioner saw his persecutors sitting confidently in the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

The Deputy Commissioner lambasted the petitioner and told them to go and pay the money. According to the commissioner, the boys are entitled to the money since the petitioner too will profit from the enterprise. He told the business owner categorically that he cannot operate except he pays the boys the money.

The petitioner was astounded by what he heard.

Later, the deputy commissioner asked the boys to reduce the ransom and asked the petitioner to dialogue with the gang; the same boys the police had declared wanted.

This happened on Tuesday the 22nd of November 2011 at about 5p.m in the office of the dc at Ikeja.

Now we truly know who is giving liver to these boys to commit more atrocities. The deputy commissioner of police, Mr. Sobulo is not fit to occupy his present position as he is one of those fuelling and giving impetus to the hoodlums in Lagos for his personal gains.

The IGP should investigate the deputy commissioner who had allowed Femi Akinboyeku and other thugs to operate without hindrance.