The Lagos State Task Force has dismissed two of its officers, Fatai Yusuf, 42, and Hammed Garuba, 38, for stealing during a recent raid at a hotel in Gowon Estate, known for its links to drug trafficking and use.
In a statement released on Friday, the task force’s spokesperson, Mr. Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, revealed that the two officers were caught on CCTV stealing mobile phones during the operation, which led to several arrests.
Gbadeyan explained that the integrity of the raid was severely compromised by the officers’ actions, and after a thorough investigation by the agency’s disciplinary committee, both men were found guilty of theft.
They have been dismissed from the force and will face legal charges.
The chairman of the agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, condemned the officers’ behavior, emphasizing the task force’s commitment to upholding integrity and accountability within its ranks.
“Any breach of ethical conduct will result in severe consequences,” Akerele warned, reinforcing the agency’s zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.
Gbadeyan also reiterated the task force’s dedication to maintaining public trust through fairness and justice, stressing that unethical actions that tarnish the agency’s reputation would be dealt with swiftly.
In a related development, those arrested during the raid have been arraigned in court. The first group of 53 individuals arrested for drug-related offenses has been remanded in the Badagry Correctional Centre.
A subsequent raid in the Gowon Estate and Ipaja areas led to the arrest of 43 more suspects, and the demolition of drug dens and shanties to prevent further criminal activities.
“The operations demonstrate the task force’s unwavering commitment to fighting drug-related crime and ensuring public safety,” Gbadeyan concluded.
