Officers of the Lagos State Police Command today arrested an Islamic cleric, Alfa Kayode Abdul-Fatai in Alakuko area of the State for being in illegal possession of human parts including a female private organ.
The suspect, who was arrested at No. 4, Okedumola Street, Off Obadare area of Alakuko, was said to have also been caught with female heart and a female lap discovered in his room.
While confirming the arrest, Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, SP Chike Oti, said the Islamic cleric was arrested following a tip off and investigation by the officers in the command.
Oti said the suspect, during interrogation, revealed that the said human parts were given to him by an accomplice who has also been rounded up.
According to Oti, the suspect and the accomplice would be charged to court at the end of investigation.
He said the Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, particularly urged members of the public to be conscious of the activities of people living within their vicinity, and report any suspicious movement to law enforcement agencies. ”The CP urges members of the public to embark on ‘Operation Know Your Neighbour’, because the Alfa was staying in a compound without his neighbours knowing what he does for a living,” Oti said.
The concept of community policing has more benefits to derive in the re-branding and collective partnership between the force, ancillary security services and the communities where they operate. This model is nothing new in Nigeria but with time, eroded and desecrated with the consequence of power wrangle between the ‘real’ police force and its ancillary contemporaries and a loss of confidence and support from the public. The centralised system has meant the shift to power and control in law enforcement cadres while the general public tend to be at the receiving end of squabbles between various units of the law enforcement agencies. SARS has been in the limelight for the negative reasons because the training scheme has not been developed to emphasise the need to factor the public into the role and duties of policing. There are significant flaws in training and monitoring, just as there are inadequacies in ongoing supervision, monitoring, facilities and incentives granted by the central system to shape the focus of existing and potential police officers. The desired inter-relations between law enforcement is not one that generates ‘fear’ and ‘resentment’ in the public. Until this is achieved, the ‘Police’ cannot be the ‘People’s’ friend. Intimidation and or, oppressive conduct by the law enforcement groups can only distance the public from the police;etc. The culture of ‘best practice’ in policing must form part of induction for new recruits and as an ongoing ‘up-skill’ for existing law enforcement agents:top-down.
The inevitable fact is: policing is not efficient or effective without enjoining the supportive efforts of the community where a first-hand intelligence-gathering possibilities can be assured. Productive investigations are achieved through ‘tip-offs’, unconscious dialogues with the public, observed curiosity and hints from the public. These make police work more productive, and harmonise law enforcement with public safety and security as the mainstay of police best practice.