Four police officers have been arrested by the Ondo State Police Command following public outrage over a viral video showing an alleged ethnic remark and claims of bribery during a stop-and-search operation along the Lagos–Benin Expressway.
The officers were captured in the video during an encounter with a motorist who identified himself as a United Kingdom returnee. The incident sparked criticism after one of the officers was heard making a comment considered by many as ethnically insensitive.
The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed on Friday that the officers had been identified and taken into custody.
The arrested officers are Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Elomore Sodayo, Inspector Adefila Adewale, Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi, and Inspector Odusola Peter.
Abayomi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, ordered a full investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the officers’ actions and establish the level of responsibility of each person involved.
“The Command assures members of the public that the outcome of the investigation will be guided by the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability.
“Any officer found to have acted contrary to the ethics and standards of the Nigeria Police Force will be subjected to appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the law and established disciplinary procedures,” Abayomi said.
The police spokesperson said the Force would not tolerate misconduct, unprofessional behaviour, or actions capable of damaging public trust or promoting ethnic division.
The controversy began after a video surfaced online showing the officers stopping the motorist at a checkpoint. In the video, the motorist presented his vehicle documents and driver’s licence for inspection.
Although his vehicle documents were returned, the officer allegedly withheld his driver’s licence and demanded money. The motorist refused, insisting that he had committed no offence and asked the officer to carry out his official duty.
After the refusal, the officer allegedly requested the waybill for the motorist’s luggage and repeatedly asked him to leave the area without identifying any traffic offence.
During the exchange, one of the officers was heard saying:
“I just see that we are very close. If you were Igbo or another person, I’d have asked you to park…”
The statement triggered widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians calling for accountability and accusing the officers of discriminatory conduct.
The police command said the investigation would determine whether any of the officers violated professional standards and that appropriate action would be taken based on the findings.
