SaharaReporters reported earlier on Tuesday that the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force had vowed to probe a viral video showing how some of its personnel strangled a young man in Kaduna State.
The Kaduna State Police Command has identified and launched an investigation into the actions of four officers seen in a viral video assaulting a civilian.
SaharaReporters reported earlier on Tuesday that the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force had vowed to probe a viral video showing how some of its personnel strangled a young man in Kaduna State.
In a video posted on X by a popular user, @PIDOMNigeria, the police officers driving in a private car stopped the young man and accused him of being a ‘Yahoo boy’ (online fraudster).
The incident reportedly happened on Monday in Kaduna South.
“They stopped him, accused him of being a Yahoo boy just like that, then tried to force him into their unmarked Camry. The boy struggled for his life with them, he held his grounds with them for minutes struggling, to the surprise of onlookers.
“They tried to strangulate the young man, but he fought for his life. When their brutality became too much, someone asked if they want to kill him. Then from there, people started coming out to gather.
“They asked them his crime and why they want to strangle him to death. The crowd started growing in protest. The police officers hurriedly entered their unmarked car, because they knew they were on illegal duty.
“They left the young man and ran away from the scene, as the crowd chanted in anger. @Princemoye1 here is the vehicle plate number. (ABJ 89 PL) Bring these rogue officers to book. Use them to set an example. They were caught on camera, pants down,” the post reads.
But reacting to the incident in a separate tweet, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Police Force at ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the institution would take responsibility for the actions of the erred officers.
He said, “This has been referred to CP kaduna for necessary action. The PPRO +2348166405566 could be reached on this line to follow up. We have said it severally that our officers should be professional and decent in their dealings and operations. Beating a fellow man in this matter is not acceptable, thus condemned. We will all take it up as a responsibility to have that Police institution we cherish and value.”
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command on Tuesday afternoon announced that the erring personnel had been identified.
The officers were identified as Inspector Ibrahim Daniel, Inspector Ezekiel Marcus, Corporal Isyaku James, and Police Constable Paul Asha.
They are attached to the Surveillance Section of the Kakuri Area Command, the police command said.
According to ASP Mansir Hassan, the command's spokesperson, the incident occurred at a known hot spot in Kaduna South.
Hassan said the officers are being investigated for professional misconduct and appropriate action will be taken if found guilty.
"The command is taking the incident seriously and assures the public of its commitment to discipline and accountability," the PPRO said.
“The command has responded to a trending video circulating on social media, showing officers assaulting a civilian in a manner unbecoming of officers.”
“They are currently under investigation,” he said, adding that CP Ali Dabigi has vehemently denounced the actions of the four police officers involved in the assault caught on camera.
“The CP also urges the general public to continue supporting the police by reporting similar incidents,” Hassan said.
The Force PRO, Adejobi later on Tuesday added that the officers have been subjected to orderly room trial.
He said, “Naming and shaming are a sort of punishment. However, these ones have been subjected to orderly room trials. And let me say that many pending cases are getting attentions, and we will update the public one after the other.
“The PR unit needs to have reports from investigation units before making any clarifications on issues. We will address them one by one even if it will take months or years. There is no statute of limitation in any criminal case.”