The Ag. Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has strongly condemned the actions of certain policemen who ran their vehicle over a citizen in Ekpoma, Edo State, on Thursday.

The victim was identified as Success Ehimare, now receiving medical attention at Irrua Specialist Hospital, Irrua.

The incident was said to have occurred along Ihumudumu Road, Ekpoma on Thursday, June 29, 2023.

In a press statement signed by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), the Acting IGP expressed deep concern over the incident, describing it as “highly disturbing.”

CSP Adejobi further disclosed that as a result, the IGP has directed the officers involved, who have been in detention in Edo State, to report to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday for further investigation and appropriate disciplinary measures.

Addressing the public, especially the people of Ekpoma, CSP Adejobi appealed for calm in the aftermath of this distressing incident. He reassured the public that the Nigeria Police Force is fully committed to upholding professionalism and the rule of law, emphasising that such acts of unprofessionalism and illegality will not be tolerated under the present leadership.

Also, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Dankwara condemned the unprofessional conduct of the officers as seen in the video, describing it as barbaric and inhuman.

The Public Relations Officer, Edo Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City, Friday.

“Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that it is aware of the trending video in the social media that shows some Police officers with a Sienna Vehicle used for Police patrol that ran over a young man who was handcuffed.

“The facts of the incident as gathered preliminarily indicate that on 29/06/2023 at about 1700hrs, ASP Magdalene Osayande reported at Ekpoma Divisional Police Headquarters, Ekpoma, Edo State that while on routine stop and search duty with her team of six (6) policemen along Ihumudumu Road, Ekpoma, Edo State, they intercepted a driver of unregistered Lexus car and demanded for the vehicle particulars. Along the line, he became aggressive and refused to oblige the request of the Police operatives, but rather attacked them, inflicted injuries on them, and destroyed a Police vehicle. However, he was arrested, handcuffed, and identified as one Success Ehimare before the incident that is currently trending in social media occurred. He was later taken to Irrua Specialist Hospital for treatment, and he is in good health condition.

“In light of the above, CP Mohammed Adamu Dankwara has condemned the action of the policeman that he saw in the trending video, and he described it as barbaric, inhumane and unprofessional. He therefore gave a marching order to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ekpoma to identify, arrest, and bring them to the State Police Headquarters Benin to be briefed and debriefed. The officers have been arrested, and they are with the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where they are undergoing through some interrogations.

“The CP appeals to the good people of Edo State and the general public to remain calm and go about their business, assuring them that justice will be served”, the statement stated.