Police advise Nigerians to come to us for screening before hiring domestic servants

Mr. Idowu Owohunwa, the commissioner of police for the state of Lagos, has urged Nigerians against employing domestic helpers without doing thorough background checks.

He suggested that companies thoroughly investigate any applicants for domestic help before hiring them.

In order to avert injury and crime in the home, Owohunwa, who was speaking on the sidelines of a recent parade of some suspects in Lagos, stated that a thorough investigation of potential staff was required.

According to The News Agency of Nigeria, there have been instances of domestic workers killing and robbing their employers in the state.

Consider the case of Joseph Ogbu, who was given the death penalty by the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on March 27, 2023, for the murders of his employer Oreoluwa John, 38, and her mother Adejoke, 89.

Two days after starting his job, Ogbu killed Oreoluwa by strangling her mother and stabbing her with a sharp weapon.

He stole a Toyota Camry Saloon, an LG plasma TV, a power bank, a Nokia phone, an i-Tel phone, a Motorway handset, and several other items from them. However, as he tried to flee, he was apprehended by officers on patrol.

Similar to this, on March 18, a driver killed his employer, Mr. Femi Egbeoluwa, a former permanent secretary for the Ogun State Government, and his wife, Funmi, at their home in Ikeja, Lagos.

However, a preliminary police inquiry found that the suspect had stolen £5,000 (N2.8 million), which was intended to cover the late Egbeoluwa’s out-of-country medical bills.

Additionally, in August 2023, the Lagos Police detained a driver who had stolen and sold his madam’s car a few weeks after starting work there.

When the police tracked him down and apprehended him using intelligence, they learned that he was a prominent armed robber, and they found an English pistol on him in the room where he had been staying with his madam.

The police detained a “maiguard” (someone who watches over the building and gate) in August of that year, stole his principal’s Mercedes Benz, drove it to Owode, Ogun, and sold it there.

Additionally, the police located him, detained him, and retrieved the vehicle thanks to an intelligence network.

This illustrates the need for thorough verification of the personal assistants we hire, according to Owohunwa.

“You get more exposed as they get closer to you and learn more about your routine and secrets.

“We always encourage citizens to work with the police if they are hesitant. We can help with the vetting procedure.