Lagos State Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alabi says anyone who gives money to the police is just as culpable as the police officer who accepts the bribe.
To this end, Alabi adds that no person, group of people should give money, bribe, to policemen to help carry out his or her duty.
According to him, the public should refrain from giving bribes to policemen whether he or she ask for bribes or not while they are performing their jobs, regardless of the officers’ position.
In his words, any public who gives bribes to policemen have committed one offence or the other adding Nigerians like to buy their freedom because they have committed.
Alabi expressed why a man would want to waste money bribing police to secure his freedom if he has not committed crime.
He explained that the adage that bail is free was actually free, saying any policeman who ask for bribe from the public was only asking because he knew Nigerians love their freedom.
According to him, no Nigerian wants to be delayed at police station or on the roads, so they succumb to the demand of any policeman on duty.
The Police Boss, said this during an interactive session with Crime Reporters at the Command Officers Mess in Ikeja GRA Lagos.
When asked on observed behavior of some officers, Alabi warned that the bad elements in the various squads to desist from demanding and collecting money from the public who come to them with crime related problems.
According to him, information reached him of instances where huge sums were demanded by some operatives of the Squads from the public who came to lodge one complaint or the other.
Alabi said such officers were disciplined, adding that he would henceforth deal ruthlessly with any officer or rank and file caught indulging in such anti service activities.
He commending the commitment of officers and men of tactical units, such as the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Intelligence Response Team, IRT, Anti-Cultism and others over recent decrease in crime in rate.
The Police Boss applauded Crime Reporters for their support for making him to attain his modest achievements since he assumed office in the State seven months ago.
Earlier in his speech, President of Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, CRAN, Lekan Olabulo commended the Commissioner for carrying journalists along in policing Lagos.
He added that Alabi’s interest in the affairs of CRAN would not be taken for granted as police and crime reporters are partners in progress.
The Police Commissioner got a clapping and standing ovation from the reporters who are from the various media houses in Lagos for a job Weldon.