The PUNCH recalls that the dismissal was announced by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Hamzat Adebola, at the police headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan on Thursday.
The two special constabularies identified as Jimoh Lukmon and Kareem Fatai were captured in a viral video recently soliciting money from a Dutch tourist travelling to Abuja on a power bike.
A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press, Paul Odenyi, on Friday, described the police officers caught extorting money from a Dutch tourist, as unpatriotic and a very bad representation of the Nigerian culture.
The agency’s Director General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, who regretted the act said the real Nigerian spirit abhors stealing in whatever guise.
The statement read, “Those officers didn’t portray themselves as real Nigerians. A real Nigerian is honest, dedicated, courteous and hardworking. No real Nigerian would descend that low to demand bribes from a tourist. Let it be known that this is not us. This is not the real Nigerian spirit.”
Issa-Onilu also praised the Dutch tourist for taking the bold step of reporting to the authorities.
“What they have done is totally against the laws of our country and it behoves on every one of us, to report such unruly behaviour, whenever, to constituted authorities for prompt disciplinary action,” The DG said.
On the real Nigerian values, Issa-Onilu said the proposed lifestyle charter, to be unveiled soon by the government, will spell out the promise of the country to its citizens and the citizen’s codes of duty, to the country.
This he said is above religious, tribal or political party sentiments.
“The government will not tolerate any act that puts our country in a disreputable stance amongst nations,” he said.
Issa-Onilu further urged all Nigerians to embrace the new dawn of renewed hope that depicts the real Nigerian spirit.
