Five SARS Operatives Arrested Over Alleged Bribe

Five operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, who allegedly manhandled a businessman in Lagos state, has been arrested and detained by the state police command.

SP Chike Oti, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, who made the disclosure, said the men were attached to the Ipakodo base of SARS.

Oti listed the operatives as, Inspector Taiwo Omojope, Inspector Arigidi Ebibor, Sergeant Rotimi Adesoba, Sergeant Olalekan Olakunle and Sergeant Friday Oni.

Recall that a businessman, Immanuel Ibe-Anyanwu, had gone to a Zenith Bank branch at Ago-Palace Way, Okota, for a transaction when he was accosted by the operatives, who searched his vehicle and reportedly demanded money from him.

After some arguments, the man was said to have sneaked into the toilet of the bank on the pretext of going to withdraw money for the SARS operatives.

The policemen reportedly removed the number plate of his car after waiting for hours without seeing Ibe-Anyanwu.

The police spokesperson, Oti, said the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, ordered that the men be arrested and detained.

He said: “In line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, the command wishes to inform the public that further enquiry into the allegation of harassment of one Immanuel Ibe-Anyanwu by SARS operatives at Ago-Palace Way, Okota, has revealed the true identities of the policemen involved in the highly regrettable incident.

“The men, numbering five, are from the Ipakodo base of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and not the Ikeja unit as previously reported.

“The names of the policemen are Inspector Taiwo Omojope, Inspector Arigidi Ebibor, Sergeant Rotimi Adesoba, Sergeant Olalekan Olakunle and Sergeant Friday Oni.

“They are currently undergoing interrogation at the command’s X-Squad Section and will be marched before an adjudicating officer at the Police Provost Department for the commencement of their orderly room trial.”