Rita Odafe
Three officials from the Nigerian Legion Corps Commissionaire faced allegations of torture and assault at the hands of the Lagos State Police Command.
As reported by SaharaReporters, this incident took place on a Friday in the Ayobo region of Lagos.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the police targeted one legion officer for allegedly “wearing a face mask during the day”.
Subsequently, the officers were detained and taken to the Ayobo police station, where they remained for several hours before being released to their lawyer.
“The legion officers were carrying out their official duties at a year-end children’s event near Gray Stone School, Samaria, Ipaja, Ayobo.
“At first, two Naval officers approached on a motorcycle to ascertain their identity, suspecting they might be impersonators. After verifying their identities, they interacted amicably.
“Shortly after the Naval officers departed, a police team arrived in a minibus and began to assault the legionnaires without provocation.
“The police accused one officer of wearing a mask, claiming it concealed his identity; they didn’t bother to verify who they were.
“Afterwards, they were taken to the Ayobo police station, where the abuse continued. The police claimed they were unaware of the Corps’ operations.
“The officers were severely mistreated, despite being in full uniform and fulfilling their duties.”
Previously in 2022, SaharaReporters revealed an incident where police from the Ogombo Police Division shot a Nigerian Legion member, Koleoso Abayomi.
Abayomi, who was a security officer at Lekki Scheme II Estate, was shot after the police accused him of obstructing their entry into the estate.
It was reported that he endured hours of beatings before being shot in the thigh by one of the officers.
“They sought entry into the estate, which had its own security personnel working alongside the legion officer.
“Upon their arrival, the legion officer requested they wait while he called the Chief Security Officer, but the police disagreed and began physically assaulting him. During this struggle, Koleoso was shot in the thigh,” stated a witness from that incident.
