Four Officers Arrested As Ethnic Bias Video Sparks Outrage

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 command said the officers had also been placed under investigation following public outrage over the incident, which circulated widely on social media on Friday.

The viral clip showed a heated confrontation between the officers and a motorist, reportedly a United Kingdom returnee, who challenged their attempt to stop and search him.

During the exchange, the driver accused the officers of intimidation, ethnic profiling and attempting to extort him, while one of the policemen made remarks suggesting that the motorist would have been detained if he belonged to the Igbo tribe.

The incident sparked widespread condemnation on X and other social media platforms, with many Nigerians calling for disciplinary action against the officers.

Addressing journalists in Akure on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the officers had been identified and arrested on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu.

According to him, the officers are ASP Elomore Sodayo, Inspector Adefila Adewale, Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi and Inspector Odusola Peter.

Jimoh said, “The Command wishes to inform the general public that the officers captured in the video have been arrested and identified 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.

“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 stressed that the Nigeria Police Force would not tolerate misconduct or any behaviour capable of eroding public confidence in the institution.

He said, “The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined and professional institution that does not condone any form of misconduct, incivility, or actions capable of undermining public confidence, promoting ethnic division, or bringing the Force into disrepute.

“Officers are expected at all times to conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism, respect for human dignity, and in strict compliance with the Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures.”

Jimoh assured Nigerians that the investigation would be conducted transparently and fairly, adding that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary action.

“The Command assures members of the public that the outcome of the investigation will be guided by the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability.

“Any officer found to have acted contrary to the ethics and standards of the Nigeria Police Force will be subjected to appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the law and established disciplinary procedures,” he said.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to professional, intelligence-driven and community-oriented policing and urged residents to report cases of police misconduct through established complaint channels.

SOURCE: PUNCH