The Abia State Police Command has arrested officers featured in a viral video showing alleged misconduct at a checkpoint in Uturu. The incident, captured on camera by a commuter, occurred at a police checkpoint in Umuahia and quickly spread on social media. In a statement issued on Sunday, Police Public Relations Officer DSP Maureen Chinaka, speaking for Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa, confirmed the officers were identified, traced, and taken into custody. The command said the complainant had been contacted and that the State Criminal Investigation Department has been directed to investigate the officers. Administrative action will follow based on the findings.
The video shows a police officer questioning a commuter about possessing three mobile phones. The commuter, recording the encounter, asked the officer why he was not wearing a name tag, making identification impossible. Another officer objected to the filming, while the first responded in pidgin English, "Make you record am. I no dey fear." When the man threatened to call the Inspector-General of Police, the officer replied, "Oya, call am," before a struggle reportedly began.
The Commissioner of Police reiterated that impunity and misconduct would not be tolerated. He reaffirmed the command's commitment to professionalism, discipline, and civility in police operations. The statement cited the Inspector-General of Police's mandate for a human rights-compliant and public-friendly police force. The command promised to release updates on the investigation's outcome.
Commissioner Danladi Isa condemns police misconduct while overseeing officers who openly defy protocol on camera. The viral video shows officers refusing identification and challenging a citizen to report them—conduct that contradicts the very reforms Isa claims to enforce. Nigerians in Abia see the gap between official statements and frontline behavior. No action has been announced beyond investigation, leaving trust in enforcement uncertain.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Full disclaimer →
