The Lagos State Police Command yesterday released its version of what transpired between officers of the command and singer Praiz last week when the latter was arrested by the Police.
Last week, precisely on the 19th of December, 2017, Praiz was stopped by the police on his way to attend the end of the year party of record label X3M. He was subsequently taken to Ajah police station.
In the altercation that took place, police smashed the singer’s mobile as he tried to record proceedings of the event.
He later took to Instagram to narrate what happened in a post in which he said he had “learnt that the police force needs deep reform and sensitisation.”
Well, yesterday, the broke its silence on the matter and issued a statement.
In the statement police notes that Praiz was the driver of a speeding vehicle which its officers flagged down, contradicting Praiz’s claim that he was riding in an Uber – so basically, we have a case of he said, they said.
The police also state that the singer insulted their officers calling them unprintable words – not cool, Praiz (if true).
The statement also urges the public including celebrities to get in touch with the police using their hotlines to report acts of misdemeanours by any police officer “instead of resorting to cheap social media blackmail.“
Police statement:
“These unprovoked actions on the part of the driver whose true identity at that time was unknown to the patrolmen, made them even more suspicious of him and so they requested him to come with them to see the Area Commander, ACP Felix Oben whom they had already called to report the conduct of the man.
“It was at the Area Commander’s office that they got to know that he is a musician that goes by the name Praiz. The Area Commander questioned him and advised him to be of good behaviour. He thereafter departed the police station peacefully without any molestation whatsoever.
“The Police authority in Lagos nevertheless felt scandalised by Praiz’s rudeness to the men in uniform who were out to ensure law, order and safety along the Lekki/ Epe corridor.
“It is a matter of common knowledge that the Command Commissioner of Police, CP. Edgal Imohimi, who has dismissed a number of policemen that abused their offices since assuming office, would not hesitate to deal with the policemen if they had erred. It is also instructive to note that the officers are not SARS operatives as erroneously assumed by Praiz but conventional policemen in their uniforms serving at Area ‘J’ Command Headquarters.
“The Lagos State Police Command, wishes to use this medium to inform all and sundry in Lagos state, that the present Commissioner of Police, CP Edgal Imohimi had on assumption office set up the Citizen Complaint Centre with dedicated lines where complaints against police actions can be lodged for necessary action. Celebrities are therefore advised to take advantage of these numbers or call on the Police Public Relations Officer instead of resorting to cheap social media blackmail.
Below are the Citizen Complaint Centre numbers:
“08067945296
“08063025274
“08113615350
“08113683077
“08096283148
“08096283183
“08089781657
“08126404930
“08081426895
“SP Chike Oti
“Police Public Relations Officer,
“Lagos State Police Command.”
