The Commissioner of Police in Imo, Muhammed Barde, has demanded the prompt arrest of a police inspector featured in a widespread video, seen striking a driver in the state. The incident took place in Owerri, the state capital, and has been widely condemned by Nigerians as a severe violation of the victim’s rights.
In response to the public outcry, Commissioner Barde affirmed the immediate arrest of the offending officer. This order was communicated through a statement from the State Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, on Wednesday, in which the Commissioner expressed his disdain for the officer’s unprofessional actions, which he deemed unacceptable.
The statement stated: “The Imo State Police Command has been alerted to a video circulating online titled ‘Nigeria Police can Never be Your Friend Especially the Ones in Owerri’, where a police inspector, purportedly serving in Imo State, can be seen forcibly removing a young man’s hat and repeatedly slapping him in the face. The Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP Muhammed Ahmed Barde, vehemently denounces this offensive act as it starkly contravenes the professional ethics and code of conduct of the Force.”
The statement further reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined organization and would not condone such misconduct. The Commissioner instructed his Monitoring Team to identify the officer for potential disciplinary action and urged the victim to file a formal complaint.
In a subsequent update, the police spokesman revealed that the inspector in question had been identified and taken into custody. The officer is presently undergoing a disciplinary trial, known as an Orderly room trial.
SOURCE: Politics Nigeria
IMAGE: Barrister NG
