The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four officers after a viral video showed them making ethnically insensitive remarks during a stop-and-search operation along the Lagos–Benin Expressway.
The incident, which sparked widespread outrage on social media, involved a confrontation with a motorist, reportedly a UK returnee, who accused the officers of intimidation, ethnic profiling, and attempted extortion.
During the exchange, one of the officers allegedly suggested that the motorist would have been detained if he were Igbo.
In response to the public backlash, the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, ordered the immediate arrest of the officers and directed a full investigation into the incident.
Police spokesperson DSP Abayomi Jimoh identified the officers as ASP Elomore Sodayo, Inspector Adefila Adewale, Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi, and Inspector Odusola Peter.
He said the investigation would determine the level of responsibility of each officer involved. The command reaffirmed that the Nigeria Police Force does not tolerate misconduct, ethnic discrimination, or any behaviour capable of undermining public trust.
It stressed that officers are expected to uphold professionalism, respect human dignity, and comply with the Force’s code of conduct. Jimoh assured the public that the investigation would be transparent and that any officer found guilty of misconduct would face appropriate disciplinary action in line with established regulations.
The Ondo Police Command also encouraged residents to continue reporting cases of police misconduct through official complaint channels as part of efforts to promote accountability and community-oriented policing.
