The Lagos State Police Command has moved swiftly against officers caught on camera assaulting a motorist during a stop-and-search operation, ordering their detention and dissolving the entire squad.
The action follows public outrage over a viral video that surfaced on Friday, showing policemen attempting to forcibly remove a driver’s eyeglasses, alleging it had a recording device.
In a statement released on Sunday, command spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh directed the detention of the implicated officers pending disciplinary action.
“Following a thorough preliminary investigation, the commissioner of police has ordered the immediate detention of the entire team,” Hundeyin wrote on X. “They will face an orderly room trial to ensure justice is served swiftly and transparently.”
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Hundeyin also announced that the commissioner has disbanded the squad in question and set up a new tactical unit. The new team, he said, will operate with “zero tolerance for corruption” and align with international policing standards, particularly respect for human rights.
The Lagos police command had earlier described the incident as isolated, stressing that it does not reflect the values of the force.
The disciplinary action comes amid mounting criticism of police misconduct in Nigeria, with human rights advocates repeatedly calling for reforms to improve accountability and restore public trust in law enforcement.