The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed social media claims suggesting that a police inspector seen in a viral video was caught stealing, describing the narrative as completely false and misleading.
The video, which circulated widely on Wednesday, showed a uniformed officer sitting on the ground with blood dripping from his mouth, surrounded by an angry crowd. People at the scene repeatedly shouted “Ole!” while recording the incident, although the alleged offence was not clearly stated.
At one point in the video, another officer attempted to shield the injured inspector from the mob.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, clarified that the inspector, who works with the Lagos State Taskforce, was carrying out his official duty enforcing the state’s ban on illegal parking along Brown Street, Oshodi, when the situation escalated.
According to the statement, the inspector stopped a motorist attempting to park illegally. The motorist reportedly became violent, leading to a confrontation. During the incident, the inspector mistakenly discharged shots onto the road, and debris from the impact injured some passersby.
Adebisi explained that the crowd quickly turned hostile, attacking the officer and leaving him seriously injured.
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The Command confirmed that the inspector is facing internal disciplinary action for his unprofessional behaviour. Meanwhile, thirteen individuals seen assaulting the officer in the viral footage have been arrested and will face prosecution after investigations are completed.
Those arrested include:
Dele Oriade (39), Adekunle Olalere (40), Mudashiru Olamilekan (28), Anayo Achusie (34), Joshua Enwonyin (24), Okoro Okechukwu (26), Rilwan Lateef (32), Damilare Odebode (22), Haruna Aleshi (25), Sodiq Omoniyi (26), Chukwudi Patience (25), Godstime Okafor (26), and Chinedu Divine (29).
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, condemned the officer’s conduct but stressed that attacking law enforcement officers is a criminal act that will not be tolerated.
The Lagos Police Command urged the public to remain calm, avoid spreading misinformation, and cooperate with authorities in maintaining peace and order.
