Police Probe Viral Video Of Estate Security Blocking Officers

The Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation into a viral video circulating on social media that shows security personnel at Omole Estate allegedly preventing uniformed police officers from gaining entry into the estate.

In a statement released on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the command clarified that the officers involved in the incident were not members of the Lagos State Police Command.

According to the statement, they were identified as personnel on escort and protection duty from other police formations outside Lagos State.

“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to react and set the record straight on a video currently circulating on social media, showing an incident at Omole Estate where estate security personnel were seen preventing uniformed police officers from gaining access to the estate to enforce the law, prevent crime, and ensure security and safety, which are part of the constitutional responsibilities of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement read.

“The police personnel in the video, after a thorough verification, are not serving with the Lagos State Police Command. They were clearly personnel on escort and protection duty to the state from other police detachments outside Lagos State. However, it is incumbent on the command to educate those involved and members of the general public that obstructing police officers in the discharge of their lawful duties and other statutory responsibilities is not only improper behaviour but also unlawful acts punishable under the laws of the land.”

The command condemned the actions of the estate security and emphasised that police officers are empowered by law to use minimum force when necessary in carrying out their duties to protect lives and property.

It also criticised the management of Omole Estate for resorting to social media instead of reporting the incident to the nearest police station or the office of the Commissioner of Police.

“As of the time of this release, none of the police personnel in the Lagos Police Command has been identified as any of those in the video. It is obvious that the police personnel in the viral video are from other formations outside Lagos State on escort protection duty to the State, as stated above. But if the Omole Estate Management had reported the incident to the police in their locality, the situation would have been different and properly dealt with in accordance with the law,” the statement noted.

The Police Command urged the Omole Estate Management to send representatives to meet with the Commissioner of Police through the Deputy Commissioner of Police or the Command’s Public Relations Officer by Monday, April 7, at noon, to present their side of the story and support the ongoing investigation.

The Command also reiterated its commitment to transparency, stating that any police officer found guilty of misconduct would face disciplinary actions.

In conclusion, the Command appealed to all estate managers and residents in Lagos State to cooperate with law enforcement in the performance of their duties to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.

“We appeal to all residents and estate managements in Lagos State to continue to cooperate with police officers in the prevention and detection of crimes and that due law enforcement duties, procedures, and processes are followed to ensure a safe and secure environment for all. The Lagos State Police Command is committed to maintaining mutual respect and cooperation in these regards, please,” it added.

Police Probe Viral Video Of Estate Security Blocking Officers is first published on The Whistler Newspaper