Female police inspector petitions IGP over alleged assault, threats by senior officer

A female police officer attachedto the Sabo Police Division in Yaba, Lagos State, W/Inspector Alonge Bridget,has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over allegedphysical assault, threats to her life, sustained harassment, and professionalmisconduct by a senior officer at the station.In the petition, Alonge accusedthe Divisional Traffic Officer, DTO, W/DSP Josephine Okeme, of subjecting herto repeated acts of intimidation and violence while in uniform. She alleged that the firstincident occurred on February 12, 2025, shortly after she was posted to thetraffic unit. According to her, Okeme physically attacked her by hitting her inthe chest, an encounter that reportedly left her unwell for nearly two weeks. She stated that she soughtmedical attention during that period and attached medical documentation tosupport her claims. Alonge further claimed that asecond confrontation took place on November 17, 2025, at about 5:20 p.m., whileshe was performing official duties at the Divisional Crime Branch, DCB,following her redeployment from the traffic unit by the Divisional PoliceOfficer, W/CSP Comfort Alabi. She alleged that Okeme stormedthe office, slapped her without provocation, and issued threats of furtherviolence. In her attempt to escape the mmscene, she said she sustained an injury to her hand, which later becameswollen. The petitioner also alleged thatthe harassment extended beyond the workplace, accusing Okeme of trailing her tobus stops after duty hours, verbally abusing her in public, and discouragingcommercial bus conductors from offering her transport. According to Alonge, sheinitially reported the matter to the then Area ‘C’ Commander, ACP AyoolaOladunni, who summoned the accused officer. She said no misconduct wasestablished against her, leading to her temporary retention at the AreaCommand. She added that she was later returned to Sabo Division at the requestof the DPO, who reportedly commended her dedication to duty. However, Alonge claimed that uponher return, the alleged victimisation continued. She said this prompted her tosubmit a formal complaint through the Lagos State Police Annex in Obalende,requesting the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police. She further alleged that onDecember 19, 2025, Okeme verbally abused her at her office and subsequentlyreported her to the DPO over an alleged failure to offer greetings, resultingin an order that she be queried. She said attempts by thisreporter to seek clarification from the DPO did not yield any resolution. Despite an internal directivefrom the Officer-in-Charge of the Provost Unit recommending an amicableresolution between both officers, Alonge claimed that no concrete actionfollowed. She is now appealing directly tothe Inspector-General of Police for protection, alleging that the seniorofficer had openly claimed she would face no repercussions even if Alongesuffered serious harm.

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