The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four police officers captured in a viral video making unprofessional and ethnically insensitive remarks to a motorist during a stop-and-search operation along the Lagos-Benin Expressway.
The video, which circulated widely on social media on Friday, showed a heated exchange between the officers and a motorist, reportedly a United Kingdom returnee, who challenged their attempt to stop and search him.
In the clip, the motorist accused the officers of intimidation, ethnic profiling and alleged extortion, while one of the policemen was heard making a remark suggesting that the driver would have been detained if he belonged to the Igbo ethnic group.
The officer was heard saying, “If you’re Igbo or another person, I’ll just flag you,” a comment that triggered widespread outrage on X and other social media platforms, with many Nigerians demanding disciplinary action.
Addressing journalists in Akure on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the officers had been identified and arrested on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu.
Jimoh identified the affected officers as AP/No. 207454 ASP Elomore Sodayo, AP/No. 332012 Inspector Adefila Adewale, AP/No. 332449 Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi, and AP/No. 332369 Inspector Odusola Peter.
He said the Commissioner of Police had ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and the level of culpability of each officer involved.
“The Command wishes to inform the general public that the officers captured in the video have been arrested and identified,” Jimoh said.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the level of culpability of each officer involved.”
The police spokesman said the Nigeria Police Force remained a disciplined and professional institution and would not condone misconduct, incivility or conduct capable of undermining public trust, promoting ethnic division or bringing the Force into disrepute.
According to him, officers are expected at all times to conduct themselves with professionalism, respect for human dignity and strict compliance with the Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures.
Jimoh assured members of the public that the investigation would be guided by fairness, transparency and accountability.
He added that any officer found to have acted contrary to the ethics and standards of the Nigeria Police Force would face appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the law and established procedures.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to professional, intelligence-driven and community-oriented policing, while urging residents and members of the public to report cases of police misconduct through established complaint channels.
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