IMO POLICE DEMOTE OFFICER OVER VIRAL ASSAULT VIDEO, REPRIMAND OTHERS
By Opeyemi Olugbemi
The Imo State Police Command has taken disciplinary action against three officers captured in a viral video assaulting a civilian along the Owerri–Aba Road. The disturbing footage, which circulated widely online, showed officers slapping and kicking a man believed to be a passenger in a commercial vehicle.
In an official statement on Wednesday, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, identified the officers as Inspector Ofem Obongha, Inspector Obinna Okereke, and Sergeant Anayo Ekezie, all attached to the Safer Highway Unit.
Following an internal review and orderly room trial conducted in line with the Nigeria Police Force’s disciplinary protocols, Sergeant Ekezie was found guilty of assaulting the civilian with his issued smoke gunner and was subsequently demoted to the rank of Corporal. Inspectors Obongha and Okereke were issued severe reprimands for failing to exercise proper supervisory control.
The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Aboki Danjuma, strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a violation of the police code of conduct and a gross abuse of human rights. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to professionalism and its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct within the force.
“The Nigeria Police Force under my leadership in Imo remains committed to protecting the rights of citizens and holding errant officers accountable,” CP Danjuma stated.
The Command also encouraged members of the public to report any form of police misconduct through its Complaints Response Unit (CRU), the X-Squad Unit, or via the following hotlines: 0803 342 4051 and 0814 802 4755.
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