The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four officers featured in a viral video in which they allegedly made unprofessional and ethnically insensitive remarks to a motorist during a stop-and-search operation along the Lagos–Benin Expressway.
The officers are currently under investigation following public outrage over the incident, which circulated widely on social media on Friday.
In the video, the officers were seen in a heated exchange with a motorist, reportedly a United Kingdom returnee, who resisted their attempt to stop and search his vehicle.
During the confrontation, the driver accused the officers of intimidation, ethnic profiling and attempted extortion. One of the officers was heard suggesting that the motorist would have been detained if he were of Igbo ethnicity, a remark that sparked widespread condemnation across social media.
Reacting to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the officers were identified and arrested on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu.
The officers were named as ASP Elomore Sodayo, Inspector Adefila Adewale, Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi and Inspector Odusola Peter.
Jimoh said the Commissioner of Police had ordered a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the level of responsibility of each officer involved.
He reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to professionalism and would not tolerate misconduct, incivility or actions capable of undermining public trust, promoting ethnic division or bringing the Force into disrepute.
According to him, officers are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, respect the dignity of all citizens and strictly comply with the Force’s Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures.
Jimoh assured the public that the investigation would be conducted fairly and transparently, adding that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary action in line with the law and established procedures.
He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven, community-oriented policing and encouraged members of the public to report cases of police misconduct through the appropriate complaint channels.
