The Force PRO said that lodging complaints and checking suspects in the police cells are free and that it is “unpolice and improper” for police officers in any police station to demand money or sanitary items from people.
The Nigeria Police Force has said that demanding money or items from people to lodge complaints or check on suspects locked up in custody by the police is a fraud.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who made this known on Monday said that Nigerians should always report any police station which demands money from people lodging complaints or collecting Dettols, soaps or sanitary money from people who want to check on suspects locked up in cells.
The Force PRO said that lodging complaints and checking suspects in the police cells are free and that it is “unpolice and improper” for police officers in any police station to demand money or sanitary items from people.
Adejobi said that anyone who is asked to pay for lodging complaints should not pay, rather, should demand to see the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) or the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), and that if the police station does not have the phone number of the DPO pasted on its walls, the station should also be reported as pasting DPOs phone numbers on their stations’ walls is mandatory.
He said, “Lodging of complaints at the Police station is free. If they demand money to lodge a complaint, ask for the DPO or DCP. Don’t pay for lodging a complaint at our stations.
“Even checking suspects in the cell is free. There is nothing like dettol, soap, or sanitary items money. It’s all fraud. It’s unpolice and improper. Don’t encourage it. Always get across to the DPO.
“DPOs nos are pasted on the walls of every station. Report any station that doesn’t have its DPOs number pasted or any help line. It’s mandatory to have that please.”
But X (formerly Twitter) user, Lola Okunrin, @lollypeezle, said, “I spent most part of my day yesterday in a Police Station lodging a complaint. I am here to tell you for free that everything is monetized there.
“I have always been with the notion that no matter what, I am a believer of “Bail is free”. Lodging a complaint is not even free, let alone “bail”.
“They said they will radio their headquarters and that has to be done with money. They said my statement will be sent through dispatch and that has to be done with money. They said “everything I see in that office, they bought them including the papers I wrote my statement on”.
“They said “Pay for logistics”, a new LMAO. After paying, I was still the one who went to bring one of the leads in the investigation to the police station with Okada. Logistics money ti wogbo lo.
“I was able to get to the root of the matter. I am very happy but at the same time, I am here to tell you that the Police won’t do anything for you for FREE. Prepare your mind except you are good at proving your right. I just found out I am not good in that aspect.”
However, insisting on his point, Adejobi said, “Where is this. Let me tell you for free here, too, that most of them lie that they buy everything they use in their offices.
“They say that to give you the wrong impression and win your sympathy. It’s all corruption. I have said it severally that at the charge room where you lodged the complaint, the DPOs office is close to it.
“Did you bother to see the DPO? Ask them some questions and let the DPO say so. With the allocation they get from Abuja, I am aware that many partners, NGOs, and PCRC members and units still support with stationeries at these stations.
“Don’t be deceived by their antics of falsehood and appealing for public sympathy, bros.”
Also reacting to @lollypeezle’s claim, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe said, “It is you who decided to pay. We have released numbers, and CRU is there, while you were at it, you didn’t tag anybody on Twitter.
“But now you see Twitter as a place to complain, so why not use it when you need it? It’s either hypocrisy, clout chasing, or you are looking for engagement. I feel you are not telling the truth.”