By Ishaya Ibrahim
The controversial head of Police Complaint Response Unit (PCRU), Abayomi Shogunle, has been removed and replaced with Marcus Ishaku Basiran, the official Twitter handle of the force has disclosed.
Shogunle was removed from the post for dragging the police into a needless controversy as he did in April when he told Nigerians to communicate with police officers in pidgin English to avoid ‘kasala’ (trouble).
“For now, don’t go and be speaking Queen’s English with them (policemen) on the road. For proper understanding talk to them in Pidgin, another way to avoid kasala,” he had said.
When the Caramelo Nightclub was raided, Shogunle whose job function was supposed to receive complaints from the general public against the police, justified the raid on the ground that prostitution was a sin in Islam and Christianity.
“Those making noise on the clampdown on prostitutes in #Abuja;
•Prostitution is a crime under the law
•Prostitution is a sin under the two main religions of FCT residents
•Medicine says Prostitution is spreading HIV & STD
•Prostitution is the lifeline of violent criminals
•Prostitution don’t pay tax
•Culture frowns at Prostitution,” he tweeted.
After several reactions by the public that Shogunle be removed from the post, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on May 4, redeployed Shogunle from Lagos to Nkalagu, a rural community in Ebonyi State where he is to serve as Area Commander.
Prior to his appointment, ACP Markus Ishaku Basiran held different positions, including Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 12 Bauchi, Unit Commander in the Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Abuja and Bayelsa and O/C Research and Planning, Peacekeeping Office, Force Headquarters Abuja, O/C Zonal Intelligence Bureau, Lokoja, Area Commander.
“Concerns and queries touching on professional Police misconducts as well as malfeasance by members of the public can be reported and addressed in real-time via a 27/7 Call Centre at Force Headquarters, Abuja,” the Police handle tweeted.
The Police also gave the various means the public can reach the Complaints Response Unit (CRU).
Calls: 08057000001, 08057000002
SMS: 08057000003
Whatsapp: 08057000003
