The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, on Friday became the Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria first Man of the Year.
NOPRIN Foundation is a network of 49 civil society organizations spread across Nigeria and committed to promoting law enforcement accountability and respect for human rights.
NOPRIN’s National Coordinator, Okechukwu Nwanguma, while presenting the award to Imohimi at the police headquarters, explained that he was picked based on his clear and demonstrable commitment to police professionalism, transparent and accountable policing, respect for and protection of human rights.
For weeks now, Imohimi has rescued several abused children and youths from their rich and influential bosses.
He has also made sure that these bosses were arraigned in court.
These were part of his achievements that endeared him to human right fighters, including NOPRIN.
Nwanguma said: “In the first week following his appointment as Acting CP, Lagos, Mr. Edgal displayed a rare act of non-tolerance for corruption and abuse of human rights.
“In a prompt response to a petition against a senior police officer and other officers under him alleging human rights abuse, corruption and misconduct, Edgal set up a multi stakeholder panel to investigate the complaint.
“He adopted and implemented appropriate disciplinary actions as recommended by the panel.
“By this singular action, he sent a loud and clear message to police officers in Lagos State that under his leadership, abuse and corruption would not be tolerated.
“This is a radical departure from the prevalent culture of cover up of alleged crimes and shielding of officers accused of infraction.”
Nwanguma further noted that since Imohimi’s appointment as CP, he had adopted measures and strategies to combat crime.
One of the challenges he inherited upon assuming office was the resurgence of crime in Oshodi, which turned into a no-go area for people at night.
Nwanguma said: “Bandits freely waylaid vehicles caught in traffic jam, break vehicle windscreens and dispossess people of their valuables.
“In prompt response to public outcry over the frequency of this menace, Edgal deployed men of the Rapid Response Squad under the able Command of ACP Disu Olatunji to tackle these bandits.
“Many of the daredevil bandits were arrested and the CP, through the Police PRO invited victims to come to the State Command to identify their attackers from among those arrested as well as to identify their stolen items which the police recovered from the arrested bandits.
“This is a departure from the familiar practice by the police to simply round up people indiscriminately in neighbourhoods – usually after a crime incident – just to demonstrate that they were working, and end up extorting money from them.”
The founder of Crime Victims Foundation, Gloria Egbuji, who is also a lawyer and social scientist, said at the presentation: “The CP has brought a lot of innovations. I have disturbed him up to 12 midnight.
“The way he responds to issues that have to do with women and children is unprecedented.
“The policemen working under him now understands his principles and strategies and are now toeing that line.”
Appreciating the award, Imohimi said: “I’m not accepting the award lightly.
“I’m accepting it with much apprehension.
“NOPRIN doesn’t give award or accolades.
“When they said they were coming, I thought they were coming with another criticism.
“But we consider them as partners in progress.
“There’s no quality service without criticism.
“This award has put me on the radar.
“NOPRIN is telling me not to relent on my job.
“What we have started, we intend to improve.”
Imohimi, who said that it saddens him to see how he is often bashed on social media, wondered if Lagosians were not aware how he and his men are working round the clock to the city safer for them.
He said: “I promised to bring down crime rate and we have achieved that.
“Lagos is a commercial hub and a cosmopolitan state.
“It will be impossible not to expect occasional crime.
“We, however, shall continue to prevent crime as much as possible.
“I dedicate this award to the Inspector-General of Police, for leadership direction.”
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