Police promise to discipline officers seen ‘assaulting motorist’ in viral video

Olohundare Jimoh, commissioner of police in Lagos, has ordered the restructuring of the police squad involved in the “assault of a motorist” during a stop-and-search operation in Lagos.

The directive follows widespread condemnation of officers caught on camera forcibly trying to remove the motorist’s eyeglass — on suspicion that the pair of glasses had a video recording feature.

On Friday, a video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) showed the confrontation between officers and the motorist.

Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson for the Lagos police command, said swift disciplinary action has been taken against the officers involved.

In a statement, the police said the incident is isolated and does not reflect the professionalism expected of its personnel.

The force’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to rooting out and sanctioning errant officers whose actions undermine the reputation of the majority of dedicated and responsible officers.

“We strongly condemn the actions of some officers captured in a viral video attempting to forcibly remove a pair of glasses from a motorist during a stop-and-search operation, and further assaulting him,” the statement reads.

“The officers involved have been identified as personnel attached to the Lagos state police command.

“The commissioner of police in charge of the Lagos state command has been contacted and has swiftly acted appropriately to ensure that the officers face commensurate disciplinary actions. He has equally ordered for the restructuring of the squad involved.

“The Nigeria police force assures the public that this isolated incident does not represent the standards of professionalism expected of police personnel.

“The force leadership stands on its commitment to identifying and sanctioning the very few errant officers whose actions embarrass dedicated, hardworking and responsible personnel of the force.”