Lagos police identify officers seen assaulting man in viral video

Lagos State Police Command has revealed that it has opened an investigation on its officers who were seen assaulting a man in a viral video.

Nigeria Police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had urged Lagos police to take action against the officers.

Adejobi had revealed that the Lagos State police officers filmed assaulting a man who allegedly refused to release his phone to them had finally been identified.

“Ben has fished them out, and I have asked what to do, so he should come up with his actions taken,” Adejobi tweeted in response to an inquiry on the matter.

Adejobi on Thursday called for an investigation into the viral video after a tweep claimed that the assault was as a result of his refusal to hand over his phone to the police officers.

Hundeyin, Lagos State Police spokesman gave an extensive explanation of the issue.

“On Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at about 1400hrs, the duo of Bamigbose Kabiru and Toheeb Bakare riding in a Lexus ES350 along Old Abeokuta Road, Agege ran into heavy traffic.

“Out of impatience, they diverted to the other side of the road, driving against oncoming traffic.

“Upon sighting the police ahead, the driver switched off the ignition right in the middle of the road and ran away with the key. The other passenger too ran away.

“Thinking of how to get out of the mess, the passenger spinned a story, falsely accusing the officers of demanding to search their phones.

“The police officers attempted to effect an arrest which the driver violently resisted. The vehicle was successfully towed to the station.

“Had they been truly asked to surrender their phones for search, why then the need to run faraway from their car? Running away after a traffic violation definitely raises suspicions.

“Meanwhile, incidents of assault are being investigated and anyone found culpable will be made to answer. @lagospoliceng CP Idowu Owohunwa will not tolerate assault by his men or on his men.”