The Lagos State Police Command has described as baseless and mischievous, allegations that its operatives attached to the Taskforce acted unprofessionally during the demolition exercise at Oworonshoki, weekend.
Specifically, the Police Command maintained that the deployed operatives were professional in discharge of their responsibility, stressing the reports which published otherwise, misrepresented the facts to mislead the public.
In line with its urban renewal drive, the Lagos State Government continued demolition in Oworonshoki after months of protests by residents who were earlier served notices.
But the exercise, which continued at Ojulari community late on Saturday, led to allegations of use of force by the Taskforce officials deployed to maintain peace and order.
Dismissing the report in its entirety, spokeswoman for the command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said police’ duty at the scene was primarily to protect lives and properties especially those of the government officials who were carrying out their legitimate duties.
She said: “The constitutional duty of the police is protection of life and property, including the lives of Public Officials at every level of Government while carrying out their lawful official duties and other responsibilities.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the demolition activity in Oworonshoki is being carried out by the Lagos State Department responsible for Urban Development and Planning in conjunction with the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences, in accordance with the law and other due processes, after several months of official notices served on both legal and illegal occupants of the affected structures, and payment of compensation to the affected occupants concluded.
“The presence of police personnel during the demolition exercise was purely to prevent any breakdown of law and order, and at no time did officers of the command engage in any act of violence, harassment, or collaboration with hoodlums as falsely reported.
“This is clearly telling falsehood to cast aspersions on the top-notch professionalism exhibited by all the police officers in the execution of their lawful duties.
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“The command wishes to reiterate once again that the roles of the police in such operations are strictly to provide security coverage of the government agencies in carrying out their statutory responsibilities, and ensure that the exercise is conducted peacefully.
“Police officers were under strict instructions to act with the highest level of professionalism, strict restraint, but to be polite, civil and with utmost respect for human rights and human dignity.
“Every allegation in the report is unfounded, baseless, inaccurate and false,and should be disregarded by members of the public.
“The Lagos State Police Command under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, remains committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting lives and property, and supporting lawful government policies that promote safety, crime prevention, society orderliness, and urban development.
“Members of the public are implored to verify information before sharing and to continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the collective interest of ensuring peace, development and progress in Lagos State,” Adebisi added.
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