Female Inspector Petitions IGP Over Assault, Threats by Senior Officer

A female police inspector stationed in Lagos has escalated allegations of brutal assaults, life threats, and relentless harassment by a senior colleague directly to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, amid claims of institutional inaction at her division.

Woman Inspector (W/Inspector) Alonge Bridget, attached to the Sabo Police Division in Yaba, Lagos State, detailed a pattern of abuse in her petition, primarily targeting Woman Deputy Superintendent of Police (W/DSP) Josephine Okeme, the Divisional Traffic Officer. Alonge described multiple violent encounters, beginning shortly after her February 2025 transfer to the traffic unit, where Okeme allegedly struck her in the chest, leaving her incapacitated for nearly two weeks. Medical records submitted with the petition corroborate her treatment during that period.

The second documented incident unfolded on November 17, 2025, around 5:20 p.m., at the Divisional Crime Branch—Alonge’s new posting following a reassignment ordered by Divisional Police Officer (DPO) W/Chief Superintendent of Police (W/CSP) Comfort Alabi. According to Alonge, Okeme stormed the office unannounced, slapped her repeatedly without cause, and issued dire threats of further violence. In fleeing the attack, Alonge injured her hand, which swelled significantly, prompting additional medical intervention.

Harassment extended beyond station premises, Alonge claimed. Okeme allegedly trailed her to local bus stops post-shift, hurled public insults, and intimidated drivers into denying her rides, fostering a climate of fear.

Prior Complaints Yield Little Relief

Alonge first raised alarms with the then Area ‘C’ Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ayoola Oladunni, who convened both parties. Yet, the probe cleared Okeme of wrongdoing, temporarily shielding Alonge at the Area Command before her return to Sabo Division—at the DPO’s insistence, who commended her diligence. Harassment allegedly reignited immediately upon reinstatement.

A pivotal flashpoint occurred on December 19, 2025, when Okeme reportedly berated Alonge in her office and escalated a trivial greeting dispute to the DPO, triggering an interrogation order against her. Internal efforts faltered: despite a Provost Unit directive urging amicable resolution, Alonge insists no meaningful steps followed. She routed her latest plea via the Lagos State Police Annex in Obalende, fearing reprisals after Okeme purportedly boasted of impunity, even in the face of grave harm to Alonge.

Efforts to reach DPO Alabi for comment proved futile, as repeated attempts went unanswered.

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Broader Context in Nigeria Police Force

This petition arrives against a backdrop of recurring internal misconduct claims within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Recent online searches across platforms like Punch, Vanguard, and Premium Times (as of January 5, 2026) reveal no prior public reports on this specific Sabo Division case, suggesting it remains an internal escalation. However, analogous incidents abound: In October 2025, a female officer in Abuja petitioned the IGP over gender-based violence by superiors, echoing Alonge’s plight (Vanguard, Oct 15, 2025). The NPF’s Women and Youth Desk has logged over 200 harassment complaints since 2024, per a Force Public Relations Officer statement, with the IGP’s office pledging zero tolerance via welfare reforms.

NPF spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, reiterated in a December 2025 tweet that all petitions receive prompt investigation, directing aggrieved officers to the Complaints Response Unit (CRU). No updates on Alonge’s case appear in official channels yet, but advocacy groups like the Nigeria Women Trust Fund have amplified similar calls for swift judicial panels on police brutality.

Alonge seeks urgent protection, a thorough probe, and disciplinary action, warning that inaction endangers her life and erodes public trust in the force.