Imo Police Detain Six Officers Over Viral Assault Video

The Imo State Police Command has detained six officers after a viral video showed officers assaulting a man in the state.

Premium Times reported that police spokesperson Henry Okoye announced the arrests in a statement on Wednesday. Punch also reported that the command had opened disciplinary proceedings over the incident.

The video, according to Premium Times, showed at least six armed officers flogging an unidentified man along a road. The incident was said to have happened on Monday at Nduhobokwe, Uzoagba, in Ikeduru Local Government Area.

Premium Times identified the affected officers as inspectors Ugochukwu Ibe and Chimezi Nwachi; corporals Michael Obi, Ebuka Onwuegbu and Amos Sunny; and Sergeant Austin Ugoezuhu.

The reports said the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Garba Bosso, ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the officers’ conduct.

Punch reported that the officers had been taken into custody and that disciplinary procedures had begun under police regulations.

Okoye said the command remained committed to professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights, and said the conduct in the video did not reflect Nigeria Police standards.

The command said the investigation would be handled transparently and that the outcome of the disciplinary process would be made public.

Sources: Premium Times, Punch