The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four police officers following the circulation of a viral video in which they allegedly made ethnically insensitive comments to a motorist during a stop-and-search operation along the Lagos-Benin Expressway.
The officers were heard telling the motorist, “If you had been from the East, we would have detained you,” a remark that sparked widespread criticism on social media.
Addressing journalists in Akure on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the officers were arrested on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, after they were identified in the video.
The officers were identified as ASP Elomore Sodayo, Inspector Adefila Adewale, Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi, and Inspector Odusola Peter.
According to Jimoh, the Commissioner of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish the level of culpability of each officer involved.
Read also: Budgets ₦22.15bn for 106 Palace Projects, 11 Without Identified Locations
He stressed that the Nigeria Police Force remains a disciplined and professional institution that does not condone misconduct, incivility or actions capable of promoting ethnic division or eroding public confidence.
Jimoh said officers are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times, respect the dignity of members of the public and operate in line with the Force’s Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures.
He assured residents that the investigation would be conducted fairly, transparently and with full accountability, adding that any officer found to have violated the ethics and standards of the Force would face appropriate disciplinary action.
The police spokesperson also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to professional, intelligence-driven and community-oriented policing, while urging members of the public to remain law-abiding and continue reporting cases of police misconduct through the established complaint channels.
