Residents of Oyan in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, over alleged unprofessional conduct, extortion and intimidation by the Divisional Police Officer of Oyan Police Division.
The petition, written by the chairman of the Osun State Judo Association, Rotimi Okeniyi, on behalf of concerned residents of the town, was addressed to the IGP through the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command.
A copy of the petition obtained by osun.life accused the Oyan Division DPO of demanding money from both complainants and accused persons before attending to their cases, a development the petitioner said has eroded public confidence in the division.
Okeniyi, alleged that residents seeking police assistance are made to part with money before their complaints are treated, while those brought in for alleged offences are also subjected to financial demands.
According to the petitioner, the development is discouraging crime reporting in the community, as poor and vulnerable residents now avoid the police station for fear of being extorted.
“The concern is particularly serious because poor and vulnerable residents may simply decide not to report crimes if they believe that doing so will expose them to financial demands,” the petition reads in part.
Okeniyi also alleged intimidation and abuse of police authority, claiming that citizens who attempt to assert their rights or question perceived improper conduct become targets of harassment.
He warned that if victims of crime become afraid to report incidents, criminals may become emboldened while the police lose valuable intelligence needed to prevent crime.
The petitioner, however, said the petition was not intended to undermine the Nigeria Police Force but to seek urgent institutional intervention to save community-policing relations in the town.”
He said there are already discussions within the community about staging a peaceful protest to the Police Headquarters in Osogbo to demand the redeployment of the DPO.
To restore confidence, “Okeniyi requested an immediate and independent investigation into the allegations, protection for complainants and witnesses who would volunteer information, and a community-police engagement involving traditional rulers, youth and religious leaders.”
He also asked the IGP to consider the immediate redeployment of the DPO pending the outcome of investigation, to allow for a probe without fear of intimidation or conflict of interest.
Okeniyi further urged the police authorities to review crime records of the division to determine whether there has been a decline in reported cases, examine alleged unofficial payments, and take appropriate disciplinary action if the allegations are substantiated.
“The people of Oyan are law-abiding citizens. We are against any conduct by any individual officer that may undermine the integrity, professionalism and reputation of the Force,” he said.
Follow the OSUNDOTLIFE channel on WhatsAppKindly share this story | All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from OSUNDOTLIFE.
Contact: editor@osun.life
WhatsApp: 📲 +2348092333666