Four officers arrested for forcing man into car boot
The police in Imo State have detained four officers filmed forcing a man into the boot of a vehicle, describing the conduct as unacceptable and inhumane.
The police in Imo State say they have arrested and detained four officers filmed forcing a yet-to-be-identified man into their vehicle’s boot. The police spokesman in the state, Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. A recent video clip circulating on Facebook showed four officers forcing a man into the boot of a saloon car along a street. While the victim struggled to come out of the boot, the officers joined hands in forcing him inside before finally locking him inside.
The incident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on Sunday at Human Race Road in Nekede Area of Owerri, the state capital. Upon receipt of information, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Bosso, ordered immediate investigation. Preliminary investigation showed the officers were two police officers attached to the Nekede Divisional Headquarters and two supernumerary police officers. They were conducting an operation at a suspected drug trafficking location during which two suspects were arrested. Substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa were recovered from one suspect, who admitted to selling illicit drugs.
The police spokesman said: “Notwithstanding the outcome of the operation, the Imo State Police Command unequivocally condemns the unprofessional conduct of the personnel as captured in the viral video. The manner in which one of the suspects was arrested and forced into the boot of a vehicle is unacceptable, inhumane, and completely not in conformity with the Standard Operating Procedures”. The commissioner ordered the immediate detention of the four officers. The case has been referred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a detailed and impartial investigation.
Cases of police brutality, extortion and extrajudicial killings in Nigeria have continued despite sanctions by police authorities. The latest incident occurred less than a month after the police in Ebonyi State detained officers who allegedly assaulted and gouged out a man’s eye. The pattern suggests that police misconduct is endemic and that the system is failing to hold officers accountable.
The winners: the police command, which has taken swift action; and the Nigerian public, who have seen accountability. The losers: the victim, who suffered humiliation; and the Nigeria Police Force, which faces another scandal.
Bottom Line: Four officers have been detained for forcing a man into a car boot. The video went viral. The police acted quickly. The question is whether this marks a turning point or becomes yet another case that fades into obscurity.