The Osun State Police Command has emphasized the need of maintaining due process in crime management by cautioning private security companies operating in the state to refrain from abusing suspects.
The warning was given on Saturday during a security summit in Iwo, where participants convened to talk about tactics for thwarting criminal activity and enhancing security agency collaboration.
Local vigilante groups, community leaders, and security agency representatives attended the summit, which was organized by the Ta’awunu Society and had as its theme “Criminal Activities and the Effects of Illicit Drugs.”
Assistant Commissioner of Police Temitayo Ogunjeminsin, the Area Commander of Iwo Area Command, emphasized the value of cooperation between traditional law enforcement and volunteer security organizations throughout his speech.
He cautioned that mistreating individuals could compromise investigations and reduce the likelihood of a successful legal prosecution.
Since some of you patrol at night, I would like to share this with you. It’s crucial to avoid dehumanizing or abusing a suspect after their arrest, Ogunjeminsin stated.
“We cannot assume that just because we are in uniform, we can beat a suspect to a pulp,” he continued. Police job is made more difficult if such occurs and the suspect is taken to the station barely alive.
The police chief clarified that gathering evidence and managing suspects appropriately are still essential to guaranteeing that justice is done.
“The court may dismiss the case if a suspect is brought before it and there is no proof to support the accusation. “People blame the police when they see the suspect again in town,” he said.
He asked private security personnel to make sure that statements are accurately recorded to support investigations and that suspects are turned over as soon as possible.
Noting that community cooperation is essential to maintaining law enforcement activities, Ogunjeminsin also counseled the organizations to follow up on cases they start.
Sheik Daood Imran, the Ameer of the Ta’awunu Society, stated in his speech that the group has been offering security services in Iwo and other areas for more than 20 years.
He stated that the gang does not utilize illegal substances or firearms while performing its job and that it operates within legal bounds.
“We saw an increase in criminal activity in Iwo town, where ritualists and robbers were free to operate. We have been asked to offer security in more than 100 communities, according to Imran.
“We consulted lawyers and involved the police to define the limits of our operations before we started,” he continued. Any government assistance will improve our performance.
