Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohinmi Edgal has appointed Superintendent of Police Abubakar Aliyu of the X-Squad section to represent him as member of Stakeholders on Police Accountability.

Edgal made the announcement during the official launch of Stakeholders Forum on Police Accountability at the Conference Hall of the Lagos State Police Command with a promise to monitor the activities of the forum.

While commending the stakeholders forum organised by the civil society groups, he said it would also assist the police to perform better especially when community policing in the state has reduced crimes by 35 per cent.

He said one hundred and eight officers were disciplined for various offences from January to July, in the State Command, saying eight officers were dismissed over what he termed very serious criminal offences.

“6 others were demoted in ranks, 58 other officers recorded major entries, 6 officers reprimanded, 28 officers were warned, 4 officers had extra fatigue, while 5 others were discharged for lack of evidences against them.” He announced.

According to him, the days of police officers receiving slaps on the wrist for offences are gone. “When you performed excellently well, you will receive a CP’s Commendation Letter. I am not happy punishing any officer, but that does not mean we should overlook unprofessional conducts.

The CP called on Lagosians to continue to assist the police with information and all that is in their power for a better Lagos.

Network For Police Reform In Nigeria (NOPRIN) Coordinator and Chairman of the forum, Nwagunma Okechukwu in his speech said the forum was formed with a view to have regular engagement and interaction with the Lagos State Police Command on issues of police accountability.

“The platform is to stand as a liaison between the police and the communities. This is with a view to deepening partnership between the police and the communities they serve and to improve public safety and security.

“We want to gain deeper understanding of the workings of the various complaints and disciplinary mechanisms within the Lagos State Police Command and the feedback system.

“We want to have a formalised and structured engagement with them, contribute to strengthening and promoting police accountability,” he stated.

Nwanguma commended Edgal for his human rights record, noting that he was one of the best in the country with a good human rights police command.