The Lagos State Police Command has refuted a viral social media narrative that claimed that a police inspector was being beaten in a trending video for stealing.
The Command clarified that the officer was actually attacked while performing official duties.
A statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebesi, describes the captions circulating online as “false and misleading,” stressing that the incident had been grossly misrepresented.
According to the police, the officer is an inspector attached to the Lagos State Taskforce, and was enforcing the state’s ban on illegal parking along Brown Street in Oshodi.
The confrontation reportedly began when he attempted to stop a motorist from parking unlawfully, prompting the driver to turn violent.
During the altercation, the officer accidentally discharged shots into the road, causing debris that injured several passersby. The chaos attracted a mob, which descended on the inspector and beat him severely.
The Command noted that the inspector is currently facing disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct.
Meanwhile, 13 suspects identified in the viral video have been arrested. Those in custody 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). They will be prosecuted upon completion of investigations.
While condemning the inspector’s misconduct, the Lagos Commissioner of Police warned that attacking law enforcement officers on duty is a criminal offence.
The Command urged residents to remain calm, stop the spread of false information, and cooperate with security agencies to ensure public order.
