The police commissioner in Imo, Muhammed Barde, has ordered the immediate arrest of a police inspector who was captured in a viral video slapping a motorist on the road in the state.
The incident in Owerri, the state capital, had elicited reactions from Nigerians, describing it as inhumane to the victim.
While responding to a call for the arrest of the erring cop, Barde ordered the immediate arrest of the officer.
In a statement issued by the public relations officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Henry Okoye, on Wednesday, the CP condemned the unprofessional behaviour of the police personnel.
He ordered that the officer be identified and arrested immediately, saying that the officer’s act was unacceptable.
The statement read: ”The attention of Imo State Police Command has been drawn to a viral video with a caption; ”Nigeria Police can Never be Your Friend Especially the Ones in Owerri”, where a Police Inspector alleged to be serving in Imo State was seen forcefully removing the cap of a young man and slapping him severally on his face.
“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP Muhammed Ahmed Barde, condemns this irritating act in totality as it highly contradicts the professional ethics and code of conduct of the Force.
The Nigeria Police Force is a highly disciplined organization and will never tolerate the misconduct of the officer seen in the video.
“To this effect, the CP has mandated his Monitoring Team to investigate and identify the officer for necessary disciplinary action.
“More so, the victim is encouraged to call the PPRO Imo on 08148024755 or come to the Police Public Relations Department Owerri and make his complaint.”
In an update a few hours later, the police spokesman announced that the erring police inspector had been identified and arrested.
Okoye said that the cop was currently undergoing an Orderly room trial.
The police spokesman added, “The recalcitrant inspector has been identified; he is currently undergoing orderly room trial, after which necessary disciplinary action will be taken against him.”
