‘You’d Be Detained If You Were Igbo’ — Police Arrest 4 Officers Caught in Viral Video Over Ethnic Comments

• The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four police officers captured in a viral video allegedly making ethnically insensitive remarks to a motorist during a stop-and-search operation, as the force launches a full investigation into the incident.

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four police officers captured in a viral video allegedly making unprofessional and ethnically insensitive remarks to a motorist during a stop-and-search operation along the Lagos–Benin Expressway.

The command disclosed that the officers have also been placed under investigation following widespread public outrage after the video circulated on social media on Friday.

The viral footage showed a heated confrontation between the officers and a motorist, reportedly a United Kingdom returnee, who challenged their attempt to stop and search his vehicle.

During the exchange, the driver accused the officers of intimidation, ethnic profiling and attempting to extort him. The situation escalated after one of the officers allegedly remarked that the motorist would have been detained if he had belonged to the Igbo ethnic group.

The comments sparked widespread condemnation on X and other social media platforms, with many Nigerians calling on the Nigeria Police Force to discipline the officers involved.

Addressing journalists in Akure on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that the officers had been identified and arrested on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu.

According to the police spokesman, the officers involved are ASP Elomore Sodayo, Inspector Adefila Adewale, Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi and Inspector Odusola Peter.

Jimoh said the Commissioner of Police had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and determine the level of responsibility of each officer.

“The Command wishes to inform the general public that the officers captured in the video have been arrested and identified as AP/No. 207454 ASP Elomore Sodayo, AP/No. 332012 Inspector Adefila Adewale, AP/No. 332449 Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi, and AP/No. 332369 Inspector Odusola Peter.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the level of culpability of each officer involved,” the statement read.

The command stressed that the Nigeria Police Force remains a disciplined and professional institution that does not tolerate misconduct or actions capable of undermining public trust or promoting ethnic division.

Jimoh stated that police officers are expected at all times to conduct themselves professionally, respect the dignity of members of the public and strictly comply with the Force’s Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures.

“The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined and professional institution that does not condone any form of misconduct, incivility, or actions capable of undermining public confidence, promoting ethnic division, or bringing the Force into disrepute.

“Officers are expected at all times to conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism, respect for human dignity, and in strict compliance with the Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures,” he said.

The police spokesperson assured Nigerians that the investigation would be conducted fairly, transparently and without bias.

He added that any officer found to have acted contrary to the ethics, standards and regulations of the Nigeria Police Force would face appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the law and established disciplinary procedures.

The Ondo State Police Command also reaffirmed its commitment to professional, intelligence-driven and community-oriented policing, while encouraging members of the public to continue reporting cases of police misconduct through the appropriate complaint channels.