The Edo State Police Command has commenced a discreet probe into a confrontation involving officials of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency and personnel of the Intelligence Response Team.
The investigation was ordered after a video of the incident surfaced on X on Thursday. The footage showed officers involved in the altercation, including an IRT operative who fired his rifle into the air.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, had met with representatives of both sides and directed an investigation to determine what led to the confrontation.
“The Commissioner of Police has also directed that the conduct of the officer seen firing the rifle be subjected to appropriate disciplinary review,” the statement said.
The police command stressed that misconduct by its personnel would not be tolerated, regardless of their position or agency.
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“The command does not, and will not, condone any act of indiscipline, unprofessional conduct or abuse of police powers by any of its personnel.”
It added, “Any officer, irrespective of the agency, found culpable after due investigation will be appropriately sanctioned in line with extant laws and regulations.”
The command further emphasised the importance of cooperation and mutual respect among security and government agencies, saying effective public safety requires professional collaboration towards a shared objective.
“The incident is therefore being treated with the seriousness it deserves, without prejudice to the established working relationship between the Edo State Police Command and EDSTMA,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the police urged residents not to resort to self-help in response to misconduct, advising them to report complaints involving police officers through its Complaint Response Unit.