The officers instructed him to accompany them to a police station. When he declined, insisting he had committed no offence, the situation escalated
By Moses Okorie
The Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation into allegations of assault involving some of its officers following the circulation of a viral video on social media.
The video, shared on X by a user identified as @ChuksEricE, shows a man accusing police officers of assaulting him during an encounter in the Festac area of Lagos.
The man, who identified himself as a gold seller, alleged that he was on his way to deliver a gold necklace when he was stopped and searched by the officers. According to him, the search did not uncover any incriminating items. However, he claimed the officers found a weighing scale used in his business and allegedly accused him of using it to measure cannabis.
He further alleged that the officers instructed him to accompany them to a police station. When he declined, insisting he had committed no offence, the situation escalated.
The victim claimed the officers, whom he alleged were not properly dressed in police uniforms and arrived in an unregistered bus, attempted to force him into the vehicle. He also alleged that one of the officers struck him on the head with a firearm before he was beaten.
Reacting to the incident, the Lagos State Police Command, in a statement posted on its official X handle, @LagosPoliceNG, confirmed that it had commenced an investigation after reviewing the viral footage.
The command said the officers captured in the video had been identified as personnel attached to the Area E Command.
According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, has directed the Area Commander to produce the officers at the State Command Headquarters without delay for further investigation and possible disciplinary action.
The police also appealed to the man featured in the video to assist the investigation by contacting the Command’s Complaint Response Unit through the dedicated telephone lines, 09111111150 or 09111111151.
The command assured the public that the allegations would be thoroughly investigated and pledged that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the law and the Nigeria Police Force’s regulations.