The Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation into allegations of abuse of power and intimidation involving the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Olosan Police Station, Mushin, CSP Ayanwale Ayodeji.
The allegations surfaced on Tuesday after a social media user, Akin Akinwale, known on X (formerly Twitter) as #mrlurvy, accused the senior police officer of threatening his friend with imprisonment over a minor motor accident.
According to Akinwale, the incident followed a slight var collision in which his friend's vehicle "brushed" another car, allegedly belonging to a friend of the DPO. He claimed that despite an immediate offer by his friend to repair the damage, CSP Ayodeji allegedly resorted to threats and intimidation.
In a series of posts, Akinwale wrote: "The DPO of Olosan Police Station in Mushin, CSP Ayanwale Ayodeji, is threatening to send my friend to jail. He boldly told him to go and call whoever he knows, insisting that he would ensure my friend rots in jail.
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"His offence: My friend's car brushed the car of someone who turns out to be the DPO's friend. Despite my friend immediately offering to repair the damage, the DPO and his friend are now abusing their authority, insisting they will jail him regardless.
"The saddest part is the DPO saying that even if the Inspector-General of Police intervenes, he would not listen. This is a blatant abuse of power."
Reacting to the viral post, the Police Complaint Response Unit (PCRU) provided an initial account of the incident, stating that the accident occurred on January 19 around the Oye Roundabout inward Ilasa, Mushin, Lagos.
According to the PCRU, one Ishola Wasiu was driving an Acura MDX with registration number KSF 615 JN when he attempted to avoid an oncoming vehicle, swerved, and hit a blue Peugeot 306 that was parked along the road.
The unit said both parties were taken to the police station, where statements were obtained, and they were advised to resolve the matter amicably.
"After hours of deliberation between both parties, they were unable to settle amicably," the PCRU added.
While the motorist's camp maintained that the DPO issued threats and claimed he would disregard any intervention, including from the Inspector-General of Police, the PCRU stated that CSP Ayodeji had intervened to explore alternative means of resolving the dispute.
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Confirming the development, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the Command is currently investigating the complaint following the public outcry.
