Police officers. Photo: TheCable
The Lagos State Police Command has detained four police officers and disbanded their tactical team following the circulation of a viral video allegedly showing personnel harassing a young man in the Odogunyan area of Ikorodu.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this on the command’s X handle on Friday, saying the officers had been identified and summoned to the office of the Commissioner of Police.
According to Adebisi, the officers were attached to the command’s Immortal Tactical Team in Ikorodu.
She said the command launched an investigation immediately after receiving the video and subsequently ordered the detention of the officers pending disciplinary proceedings.
“Immediately we got the video, we investigated and the men were identified to be personnel of the Lagos State Police Command attached to Immortal Tactical Team there in Ikorodu,” she said.
She added that the officers were summoned to the commissioner’s office, where a decision was taken to detain them and disband the entire team.
“They gave the verdict that these officers will be detained immediately pending the disciplinary proceedings and also the entire team be disbanded,” Adebisi said.
The police spokesperson confirmed that all four officers were in custody, although only three were present during the briefing.
“They are supposed to be four standing, the fourth one for some reasons can’t stand here with them, but of course is also in custody,” she said.
Adebisi assured residents that appropriate action would be taken against the officers, stressing that the command would not tolerate misconduct among its personnel.
“I want to assure members of the public that we’ll take appropriate actions against them,” she said.
She added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh Fatai, had charged officers to carry out their duties with integrity and humility.
“And I speak to you, they are presently here at the headquarters for further inquiries,” she said.
The spokesperson reiterated the command’s position against impunity, saying officers found acting contrary to police directives would face appropriate consequences.
“And that is because here in Lagos State Command under the leadership of CP Fatai, we say no to impunity,” she said.
Adebisi also urged residents to report cases of police misconduct and commended members of the public for helping to identify the officers involved in the viral video.
“I want to urge Lagosians to please always reach out to us whenever you find our officers acting contrary to directives of the Inspector General of Police,” she said.
She further appreciated the community for its cooperation, noting that the assistance provided by residents helped the police identify and apprehend the officers within a short period.
The officers remain in custody as investigations and disciplinary proceedings continue.