Ondo police command confirms arrest of officers in viral video threatening to slap, detain motorist if he’s Igbo

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and three inspectors over a viral video showing them making unprofessional and ethnically insensitive remarks to a member of the public.

The officers were arrested following the circulation of the video, which captured one of them threatening to detain a motorist if he was of Igbo extraction during a stop-and-search operation along the Lagos-Benin Expressway.

Addressing journalists in Akure on Friday, July 24, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, identified the 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.

Abayomi said the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the officers’ conduct and determine the level of culpability of each of them.

He stressed that the Nigeria Police Force did not tolerate misconduct, incivility or any act capable of undermining public confidence, promoting ethnic division or bringing the Force into disrepute.

According to him, officers were expected at all times to conduct themselves professionally, respect the dignity of all citizens and operate strictly in line with the Force’s Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures.

He assured the public that the investigation would be conducted in line with the principles of fairness, transparency and accountability.

Abayomi added that any officer found to have violated the ethics and standards of the Nigeria Police Force would face appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with extant laws and established procedures.