I’ve Never Taken Bribe —Lagos Police Boss

New Lagos State  Police Commissioner, Mr. Yakubu Alkali says he has never taken bribe all his life, even as a policeman. He even adds that he is ready to submit himself for any probe.

Alkali disclosed this on Tuesday when he paid a visit to the headquarters of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos State Chapter at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, South West Nigeria.

According to him, “I have never taken bribe from anybody or given bribe to anyone in the course of my job.  Go and investigate. Don’t give policemen bribe.  Report any policeman who asks you for bribe.”

The police boss also denied reports in one of the dailies on Tuesday that the Inspector General of Police, IGP gave him a query over the crime situation in Lagos, saying that it was a blatant lie.

“It will do us no good to write negative things about ourselves and the nation. One of the newspapers said the IGP gave me a query and that I have reshuffled my office.  I have not been given query by the IGP and I did not reshuffle my office.

“Reporters should always get two sides to a story before going to press.  I am more than open to all.  The Police Public Relations Officer is there.  I have eight Assistant Commissioners of Police in Lagos.  They can help you and give you the necessary information,” he stated.

According to the police boss, “if anybody is writing anything about Alkali and the police command, I am not afraid.  I cannot be intimidated.  Verify your information first before going to press.”

He appealed to the press to support the police so that Lagos could have a smooth poll, adding that “with your cooperation, we can give the best security at this campaign period and during the election.”

Alkali stated that the forthcoming election presented a litmus test to the police, saying that there was no way the police could secure the state alone without support from the press and the public.

“We need your support.  The elections are around the corner; beware of what you write in the newspapers because what you write can make or mar the nation,” he added.

Alkali vowed that the police would do everything possible to curb violence at the forthcoming polls and warned that some unscrupulous policemen and members of the public must not allow themselves to be used as political thugs during the polls.

“We should not participate in election violence and we should expose those who want to participate in violence at the April polls.  We will not take it lightly with anybody who perpetrates violence during the forthcoming election. I am optimistic that Lagos State shall have the best election next month,” he said.

The police boss promised to help the NUJ curb proliferation of fake journalists across the state, saying that the police would be on the look out at events for fake journalists in order to arrest them.

—Kazeem Ugbodaga & Dedeigbo Ayodeji

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