The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four police officers over their alleged involvement in an incident captured in a viral video showing unprofessional conduct during a stop-and-search operation on the Lagos-Benin Expressway.
The command said the officers were taken into custody following the circulation of the video on social media, while a full-scale investigation had been ordered to determine their level of culpability.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this on Sunday while briefing journalists on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu.
Jimoh identified the officers as ASP Elomore Sodayo (AP/No. 207454), Inspector Adefila Adewale (AP/No. 332012), Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi (AP/No. 332449), and Inspector Odusola Peter (AP/No. 332369).
According to him, the Commissioner of Police directed an immediate investigation into the incident following public outrage generated by the viral video.
“The Command assures members of the public that the outcome of the investigation will be guided by the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability,” Jimoh said.
He added that any officer found to have violated the ethics, Code of Conduct, or Standard Operating Procedures of the Nigeria Police Force would face appropriate disciplinary sanctions.
“The officers are expected at all times to conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism, respect for human dignity, and in strict compliance with established operational guidelines,” he added.
The command further reassured residents that no officer found culpable would be shielded from punishment.
The video, which has attracted widespread reactions online, allegedly showed the officers stopping a motorist at a checkpoint and collecting his vehicle documents without properly inspecting them.
The motorist, who claimed he had just returned to Nigeria from abroad, was heard urging the officers to examine the documents, insisting he had “nothing to offer” them.
The situation reportedly degenerated into a heated exchange after the motorist informed the officers that he was recording the encounter.
One of the policemen allegedly threatened to arrest the driver and impound his Sports Utility Vehicle, claiming he was merely being lenient.
The video also purportedly showed another officer returning the vehicle documents while withholding the driver’s licence and allegedly insisting it would not be released unless the motorist paid money demanded from him.
The Ondo Police Command said its investigation would establish the facts surrounding the incident and reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, accountability and public trust in policing.
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