The Ondo State Police Command on Friday announced the arrest of four police officers captured in a viral social media video allegedly making unprofessional and ethnically insensitive remarks while conducting a stop-and-search operation along the Lagos–Benin Expressway.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Ondo State Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, told journalists in a Press briefing that the Command was aware of the viral footage and had moved swiftly to identify and and have taken the officers into custody following public outrage over the video.
The viral clip showed a heated confrontation between the officers and a motorist, reportedly 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 attempting to extort him, and the Police officer said: “I just see that we are very close. If you were Igbo or another person, I would have just I’d have asked you to park…” before gesturing toward the roadside.
The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, Jimoh added, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the officers’ conduct and establish their respective levels of culpability.
According to him, the arrested officers have been 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.
“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,” Jimoh said.
He explained that Commissioner of Police Felix Ohagwu had immediately directed a full-scale investigation into the incident to unravel the circumstances surrounding the officers’ actions.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the level of culpability of each officer involved,” he stated.
Jimoh stressed that the Nigeria Police Force remains a disciplined and professional institution that does not tolerate misconduct, incivility, or actions capable of eroding 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,” he said.
He added that police officers are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism while respecting the dignity and rights of members of the public.
“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,” the police spokesperson said.
The Command assured Nigerians that the ongoing investigation would be conducted in line with the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability, promising that any officer found to have violated the Force’s ethical standards 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,” Jimoh added.
Reaffirming its commitment to effective policing, the Ondo State Police Command said it remains dedicated to professional, intelligence-driven, and community-oriented policing across the state.
The Command also urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and continue supporting the Police by reporting incidents of misconduct through the Force’s established complaint channels.