After years of brutality against innocent citizens, it seems policemen in Nigeria are now turning the heat on themselves.
Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali has ordered the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Olaleye Faleye to investigate alleged assault of a female inspector, Olorunsogo Bamidele by her divisional crime officer. This was after a viral video appeared on social media in which the female inspector lamented the physical torture and beaten inflicted on her in uniform by her superior.
Speaking on the incident on journalists’ hangout, Veteran journalist Babajide Otitoju said it was absurd why a policeman would go to this extent of assaulting a woman especially as she is married.
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Mr Otitoju, embittered by the development, said there are so many who do not deserve to be in the Nigeria Police Force but found themselves there because there are no jobs.
“We still have policemen that we are proud of, we have many of them, but this one is a disgrace.
“The IG ought to move quickly, the same way they paraded policemen who tortured civilians and those who extorted money, same thing should be done to this police officer if found guilty.
“If they fail to do then they are a bunch of hypocrites.
“Why should you want to sleep with a married woman? That is bad enough. It’s against our culture.
“She was also brutalised because she refused to cooperate. You cannot force yourself on a woman.
Also speaking on the issue, Paul Dada, a managing editor at TheSetimes said only abnormal persons behave the way the police officer has done.
According to him, rapists and those who assault women sexually should have a special case in the prison.
He added that the actions of the police officer has brought shame and disgrace to the uniform.
Speaking on work place harassment, Mr Otitoju stated that every responsible corporate organisation frowns at sexual harassment.
He noted that it is something for which one can loose his/her job for.
“I also know that the police will not allow it since the police are a responsible instrument of government and the government’s security outfit.”
“And it’s also bound by civil service laws because they are public servants.
“There is no law that permits the kind of irresponsible behavior that we’ve been told has happened between the police woman and her boss.
“It just shows that there are still so many people without the requisite discipline that you need to be successful as a security operative.
“You have to be above board. All kinds of crimes are committed by policemen. Some have connivied with armed robbers to places of crimes.”