The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four officers seen in a viral video allegedly making ethnically charged and unprofessional remarks to a motorist during a stop-and-search operation along the Lagos–Benin Expressway.
The officers are also being investigated following public outrage over the incident, which gained widespread attention on social media on Friday.
The video captured a tense exchange between the policemen and the motorist, said to be a United Kingdom returnee, who questioned the officers’ 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 also heard making comments implying that the motorist would have been detained if he were of Igbo extraction.
The incident triggered widespread criticism on social media, with many Nigerians demanding disciplinary action against the officers.
Speaking to journalists in Akure on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that the officers had been identified and arrested on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu.
He identified the officers as ASP Elomore Sodayo, Inspector Adefila Adewale, Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi and Inspector Odusola Peter.
“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,” Jimoh said.
He stressed that the Nigeria Police Force would not tolerate any form of misconduct or behaviour capable of undermining public trust or promoting ethnic division.
“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,” he added.
Jimoh assured the public that the investigation would be transparent, fair and thorough, noting that any officer found guilty of misconduct would face disciplinary action in line with established procedures.
He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to professional, intelligence-led and community-oriented policing, while encouraging members of the public to report cases of police misconduct through the appropriate complaint channels.