Police Raid Ajegunle Community, Beat Up, Arrest Residents

Men of the Nigerian Police Force have allegedly raided homes in Ilaje (JMJ Quarters) area of Ajegunle, Lagos using guns and fists on residents under the cover of looking for criminal elements.

According to a resident, Tomoloju Ayodele, who spoke with newsmen, the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning. Many people, including the aged were severely injured during the raid.

“The policemen kidnapped many residents so that the bail money will be huge. The riotous guys in our ghetto that always perpetrate crimes are partners of these inhumane, and ill trained police officers who smoke weed, and extort money from bike riders, motorists, and truck drivers.

On what led to the incident, Ayodele said “some hoodlums organised a party where pandemonium broke loose and some groups clashed. Ans since four days ago, policemen started arresting innocent people who know nothing about the incident.

“These illegal arrests start at 9pm everyday. They begin to raid innocent people as they return from offices or their businesses. They take them to their stations where they would be given phones to call their families to come bail them out. They even do this to people going to offices early in the morning to beat traffic.”

Ayodele further explained how the policemen know the hide outs of the thugs but go there to smoke marijuana and fraternise with them instead.

“They know those thugs are in clubs and brothels but won’t go there because those brothel owners do give them bribe monthly.

“Even Okada riders now must register their bikes and bring returns monthly to avoid their machines getting seized illegally.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkanan was contacted over the development. He said that the police authorities were aware of the raid as that place was notorious.

“Law enforcement can be so difficult and overzealous policemen can go overboard at times but such overzealousness will be handled.” Bala added.