BY IDAHOSA MUSA
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest and detention of some of its officers allegedly involved in the malicious destruction of a civilian vehicle during a recent protest in Benin City.
The incident, which has drawn public attention following a widely circulated video, involved members of the Command’s Quick Response Team reportedly acting in an unprofessional and unlawful manner during a security operation in the Okhuimwun Community area.
Speaking to journalists in Benin, the Command’s spokesperson, Superintendent Moses Yamu, disclosed that the officers were recorded smashing a vehicle that had been parked at the scene of the protest.
The footage, which quickly went viral on social media platforms, showed uniformed officers wielding batons and other objects to destroy the vehicle’s windscreen and windows without provocation, raising concerns about abuse of power and lack of restraint in the face of public demonstrations.
The context of the incident traces back to May 20, 2025, when personnel of the Inspector General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT), travelling from Lagos through Edo State, came under violent attack by a group of youths in the Okhuimwun area.
The IRT officers reportedly sustained severe, life-threatening injuries, and their patrol vehicle was also damaged during the altercation.
In response, a reinforcement team from the Edo Command was dispatched to the area to rescue the injured officers and bring the situation under control.
However, according to SP Yamu, it was during this rescue operation that some members of the Quick Response Team deviated from protocol and engaged in acts deemed excessive and unnecessary, including the destruction of private property.
While the Command strongly condemned the assault on the IRT personnel and affirmed its commitment to protecting its officers from unlawful attacks, it equally expressed deep disapproval of the conduct exhibited by its own men during the incident.
“The officers involved have been identified, arrested, and are currently undergoing disciplinary proceedings in accordance with police regulations,” SP Yamu stated, adding that the Command remains committed to upholding professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights in all its operations.
In a related development, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, appealed to the general public to uphold mutual accountability and support the efforts of the police in maintaining peace and order.
He assured residents that the Command would not condone any form of misconduct by its officers and reiterated its resolve to deliver effective and citizen-focused policing services grounded in national and international best practices.
