CSP Shola Jejeloye: A Disgrace to the Nigerian Police, Says Bode George
Chief Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned the actions of Chief Superintendent of Police, Shola Jejeloye, the immediate past Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, labeling him a disgrace to the Nigerian police force.
George criticised Jejeloye for causing significant hardship to many young individuals in Lagos by recklessly confiscating and auctioning their vehicles.
At a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, he expressed his concerns, stating that Jejeloye’s behaviour is unacceptable and should be addressed.
“I’ve heard of multiple incidents, and it’s personally affected two young people I know,” George said. “There’s a policeman in Lagos who, by every standard, is unfit to wear that uniform. He is a complete disgrace to the Nigerian police.”
He elaborated on the issue, saying, “I have many police friends, but this particular boy is responsible for arresting one-way drivers. He seizes vehicles and threatens to crush or auction them.”
George recounted a troubling incident involving an inspector of police who was stopped while riding his motorcycle to work. Despite explaining his situation and presenting his identification, Jejeloye’s officers confiscated the bike. “We tried to reach out to the authorities, but they informed us that the motorcycle had already been sent for crushing. I had to purchase another motorcycle for him. Thank God it’s not now. The bike costs over a million naira.”
In another incident two weeks ago, George highlighted the case of Okoli Godswill Chukwuka, a talented young man who had received the Nelson Mandela Award for inventive technology from the American President with George’s stepson. Okoli, an expert in Renewable Energy, who had returned to Nigeria to contribute to the country’s tech development, was misdirected by police officers into a one-way road due to road blocks on IBB Bridge and subsequently detained by Jejeloye’s team.
“They beat up a man who tried to record the incident on his phone and confiscated Okoli’s Lexus RX despite all pleas for leniency. These promising young men have been humiliated and left without their vehicles,” George lamented.
He expressed his disbelief at Jejeloye’s lack of empathy and professionalism, stating, “Where did he come from? Was he properly trained? There is no sense of decency in his actions. I recall an experience from my time at the Naval War College in the U.S. when I was stopped for speeding. The police listened to my explanation and let me go without seizing my car. That is how police should operate.”
George emphasised that police officers are trained to engage positively with civilians, not to act with hostility. “The police should be humane and communicate with the public,” he asserted.
