Four police officers attached to the Ondo State Police Command have been arrested after a viral video allegedly showed them making ethnically insensitive remarks to a motorist during a stop-and-search operation along the Lagos–Benin Expressway.
The officers are also under investigation following widespread public outrage sparked by the video, which circulated across social media on Friday.
The footage captured a heated confrontation between the officers and the motorist, said to be 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 attempted extortion, while one of the policemen allegedly suggested that the motorist would have been detained if he had been Igbo.
The incident triggered condemnation from Nigerians on X and other social media platforms, with many demanding disciplinary action against the officers.
Addressing journalists in Akure on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the arrests were ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu.
According to him, the officers have been identified as 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 actions capable of damaging public trust or promoting ethnic division.
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 transparent and that any officer found guilty would face 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, urging residents to report cases of police misconduct through official complaint channels.
