Lagos Police Probe Viral Video of Estate Security Preventing Uniformed Officers’ Entry |LAGOS EYE NEWS

The Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation into a viral video making the rounds on social media, which shows security personnel at Omole Estate allegedly denying uniformed police officers access to the estate.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, clarified that the officers seen in the video are not attached to the Lagos State Police Command. According to Hundeyin, the officers were on escort and protection duties and belong to police formations outside Lagos State.

“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to react and set the record straight on a video currently circulating on social media, showing an incident at Omole Estate where estate security personnel were seen preventing uniformed police officers from gaining access to the estate to enforce the law, prevent crime, and ensure security and safety,” the statement read.

The Command described the actions of the estate security personnel as unlawful and warned that obstructing police officers in the performance of their lawful duties is a punishable offence under Nigerian law.

While confirming that the officers involved were not from the Lagos State Command, the statement emphasised that the police are empowered by law to apply minimum force when necessary to protect lives and property. It also faulted the management of Omole Estate for turning to social media rather than formally reporting the incident to the nearest police station or the Commissioner of Police.

“As of the time of this release, none of the police personnel in the Lagos Police Command has been identified as any of those in the video. If the Omole Estate Management had reported the incident to the police in their locality, the situation would have been different and properly dealt with in accordance with the law,” the statement noted.

The Command has invited representatives of the Omole Estate Management to meet with the Commissioner of Police through the Deputy Commissioner of Police or the Command’s Public Relations Officer by noon on Monday, April 7, to present their account and assist with the ongoing investigation.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the Command assured the public that any officer found guilty of misconduct would be duly sanctioned.

The Lagos State Police Command concluded by appealing to estate managers and residents across the state to cooperate with law enforcement personnel in carrying out their constitutional duties to maintain peace and security.

“We appeal to all residents and estate managements in Lagos State to continue to cooperate with police officers in the prevention and detection of crimes. Due law enforcement procedures and processes should be followed to ensure a safe and secure environment for all,” the statement added.