Four arrested over illegal sale of police uniforms, kits

The Lagos State Police Command has discovered a factory in Police College, where suspected criminals produce and sell police uniform and other accouterments.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Fatai Owoseni, who swung into action, having received intelligence on the operation of these syndicates in the police environment.

Already, four women had been arrested in connection with the alleged criminal activities with the uniforms and accoutrements recovered.

The kits included police boots, belts, badges, ranks, shirts, trousers, force numbers, cardigans and caps.

The suspects are at present facing interrogation at the X-Squad of the state police command.

A police source said the discovery was made following petitions from concerned citizens in the Police College, to the Inspector General of Police, that suspected criminals were coming to buy police uniforms and accoutrements in an open market.

It was gathered that following the petitions, the IGP, Idris Ibrahim, constituted a Panel of Inquiry headed by a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, who recommended that the Lagos Command should investigate the matter.

It was further gathered that the Lagos State Police boss, Fatai Owoseni, ordered the officer-in-charge of X-Squad, Bode Fakeye, a Chief Superintendent of Police, to take over the investigation.

A police detective said: “We went to the shops and discovered that truly people were selling police uniform and kits and people believed to be civilians were coming to buy them.

“We had to arrest the people in the shops and seized 11 bags of police uniforms and kits such as belts, identify cards, emblems, boots, socks among others.

“The exhibits and the suspects have been moved to the state command headquarters, while we are still tracking the other suspects on the run.”
Confirming the arrests, the state police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, said the case was referred from the police high command, Abuja.”

He added: “The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, ordered the officer-in-charge of X-Squad, to investigate and when he finally investigated and found out that it was true, the CP ordered the arrest of the suspect and seizure of the materials.

“The suspects will be charged to court today on two-count of conspiracy and unlawful possession and sales of police kits according to Section 328, Sub section A, B, C, D of Lagos State 2011.”