The Imo State Police Command has launched an investigation into a viral video showing some armed policemen allegedly displaying cult signs — a clip that has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns about misconduct within Nigeria’s security agencies.
The footage, first shared by anti-cultism advocacy platform Naija Confra, purportedly shows police officers in uniform wearing berets and caps bearing the insignia of the Vikings confraternity — one of Nigeria’s most notorious cult groups.
In its post accompanying the video, Naija Confra accused the officers of “openly disgracing the Nigerian Police Force by engaging in cult activities.” The group further alleged that such officers often participate in violent operations during cult clashes.
The post read in part:
“These are police officers in Owerri, Imo State, openly disgracing the Nigerian Police Force by engaging in cult activities. These same officers are the ones often used to kill rivals during cult clashes. How can such officers arrest a Vikings cultist when they are members themselves?”
The advocacy group also criticized the Imo Police Command for allegedly ignoring previous warnings about cult infiltration within its ranks, adding:
“This is why Naija Confra has always opposed cultism within security agencies. Sadly, there is no need to tag the Imo State Police Command — they remain one of the most unresponsive in Nigeria when it comes to cult-related warnings.”
The post quickly went viral across X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, generating widespread public condemnation and calls for disciplinary action against the officers involved.
Police Command Reacts
Responding to the public outcry, the Imo State Police Command on Friday announced that it had commenced a full investigation into the incident.
In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Okoye Henry, ANIPR, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, described the officers’ behavior as “an unacceptable display of unprofessionalism.”
“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has ordered a thorough investigation into the viral video showing a group of police officers in an unacceptable display of unprofessionalism,” the statement read.
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“The CP strongly condemns the conduct as unethical and unbecoming of police officers.”
Danjuma assured the public that the matter is being handled with the “utmost seriousness” and that officers found culpable will face strict disciplinary action in line with police regulations.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to “upholding the highest standards of professionalism and ensuring effective policing in accordance with the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force.”
The statement was also shared by former Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, now serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations at the Delta State Police Command, lending further credence to the command’s swift response.