Femi Ashekun/
The Nigeria Police Force has initiated disciplinary proceedings against officers captured in a viral video allegedly harassing a civilian in Lagos, following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
In an update posted by the Police Complaint Response Unit on X, the force confirmed that the officers involved had been identified and would face “appropriate disciplinary actions”.
The statement added: “We seek your support and trust as we fight impunity to a standstill.”
Escalating the response, the IGP has ordered the Divisional Police Officer in Satellite Town, Lagos, to produce the officers in Abuja on Wednesday, April 8, for further investigation and disciplinary measures.
The directive follows widespread public outrage over a video circulating on social media, which shows armed policemen confronting and allegedly threatening a civilian in broad daylight.
The footage has triggered renewed debate about police conduct and accountability in Nigeria.
Public reaction has been swift and critical.
An X user, Abisoye Omotosho, has alleged a prior encounter with what appears to be the same group of officers, including one operative seen in mufti in the viral footage.
According to the account, the incident occurred in the Abule-ado area of Lagos, where four officers reportedly stopped him and a companion while they were on a motorcycle.
Omotosho said the interaction initially appeared routine, with officers asking questions and requesting to check his phone, which he said he allowed without resistance.
However, he alleged that a man not in uniform suddenly approached and slapped him without provocation.
“At that moment, I didn’t even know he was a police officer because he wasn’t in uniform,” he said, adding that he reacted instinctively before other officers intervened and identified the man as one of them.
He further claimed that the situation escalated, with both him and his companion allegedly beaten by the officers, after which they were threatened with arrest.
According to his account, the officers later abandoned them under a bridge instead of taking them to a police station.
While these claims have not been independently verified by authorities, the account has added to growing public concern about a possible pattern of misconduct involving the officers now under investigation.
Another X user, reflecting a broader sentiment, suggested that without video evidence, the incident might never have come to light, arguing that such encounters often go unreported and unpunished.
The user described the officers’ conduct as indicative of a pattern of behaviour rooted in a perceived lack of consequences.
The Nigeria Police Force has in recent years faced sustained scrutiny over allegations of misconduct, extortion, and abuse of power, particularly involving officers operating at divisional levels.
Incidents captured on video have frequently prompted disciplinary action, though critics argue that many cases go undocumented.
The IGP’s latest directive is being viewed as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce internal discipline and restore public confidence in the force.
Since assuming office, Disu has repeatedly emphasised accountability and professionalism, with a focus on addressing misconduct through visible enforcement actions.
While the police leadership has pledged to act decisively, observers note that the outcome of the disciplinary process in this case will be closely watched as a test of the force’s commitment to tackling impunity within its ranks.
The police have urged members of the public to continue reporting misconduct and to provide evidence where possible, as part of broader efforts to improve transparency and accountability.
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