The Lagos State Police Command announced the launch of a full-scale investigation into a 17-year-old girl’s alleged rape complaint against one of its officers.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s public relations officer, said in a statement on Sunday that the officer, whose identity was not revealed, had been arrested.
Chronicle NG reported that the victim alleged that she was raped inside the Ogudu Police Station in the Ojota area of the state.
It was gathered that the officer had promised to help the teenager retrieve her phone, which had been taken by ‘one chance’ robbers on June 16 while she, her grandmother, and her siblings were returning from Ikeja.
The suspect allegedly overheard the teenager telling her mother about her ordeal at her shop and promised to help her find her misplaced phone and take her testimony.
The victim further stated that she was invited into the suspect’s office under the premise of retrieving her phone, but the suspect committed the alleged act.
The victim’s mother, Aramide Olupona, revealed that her daughter began bleeding a day after the assault and was rushed to the Mirabel Centre, adding that the event had also been reported to authorities.
She also accused the police of trying to bury the case, saying, “The suspect’s wife and the rest of his family have come to my shop to plead with me, saying he would soon retire, but what about my daughter, who was raped? Is it because I am a poor woman?”
Reacting, Hundeyin stated that the accused act violated the police code of conduct and so informed the victim’s family and the wider public that no attempt was made to conceal the incident.
He said, “The Lagos State Police Command has placed under arrest one of its personnel accused of defiling a 17-year-old girl. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has directed a full-scale and thorough investigation into the allegation.
“The command assures the public that there is no attempt at a cover-up as such hideous acts are at variance with the code of conduct and professional ethics of the Nigeria Police Force.
“To this end, CP Fayoade once again assures Nigerians that the officer will be dealt with under police regulations and the law if found culpable.”
