Four police officers in Ondo State have been arrested following the circulation of a viral video showing them making ethnically charged comments during a roadside stop on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The officers, identified as Elomore Sodayo, Adefila Adewale, Olorunfemi Opeyemi and Odusola Peter, all holding the rank of inspector, are seen in the footage interacting with a motorist without citing a traffic violation. One officer is captured on camera saying, "I just see that we are very close. If you were Igbo or another person, I would have just I'd have asked you to park…" while gesturing to the roadside. The exchange also suggests an attempt to solicit money from the driver, who refused to pay.
Abayomi Jimoh, police spokesperson for Ondo State, confirmed the arrests during a statement issued in Akure on Friday. He stated that the officers had been taken into custody and that a full investigation had begun under the directive of Felix Ohagwu, the state commissioner of police. Jimoh emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force treats the allegations with "utmost seriousness" and will not condone actions that damage public trust or encourage ethnic division. The probe aims to determine the extent of the officers' misconduct and ensure appropriate disciplinary measures are taken.
The incident occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a major federal highway, though the exact date of the stop was not disclosed. No information was provided about the motorist's identity or condition. The next step involves the conclusion of the internal investigation, after which possible disciplinary or legal actions may follow.
An officer's conditional leniency—offered only because the motorist was not Igbo—exposes a dangerous bias embedded in routine police conduct. When law enforcement uses ethnicity as a criterion for enforcement, it undermines the legitimacy of the entire system. The outcome of the internal probe will signal whether accountability can override institutional tolerance for such conduct.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Full disclaimer →
