Imo Police Arrest Four Officers Over Viral Video of Suspect Forced Into Vehicle Boot

The Imo State Police Command has arrested four of its personnel captured in a viral video allegedly manhandling a young man and forcing him into the boot of a vehicle during an operation in Nekede.

The incident occurred on Sunday along Human Race Road, Nekede, in Imo State.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, said the Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, ordered an immediate investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the officers’ conduct.

According to the command, preliminary findings revealed that the personnel seen in the video comprised two police officers attached to the Nekede Divisional Headquarters and two Supernumerary Police Officers.

The officers were reportedly carrying out an operation at a location suspected to be a drug trafficking hotspot, during which two suspects were arrested.

Police said substances suspected to be Cannabis sativa were recovered from one of the suspects, who allegedly admitted to selling illicit drugs in the area.

Despite the outcome of the operation, the command condemned the officers’ actions, describing their conduct as unprofessional and contrary to the standards of the Nigeria Police Force.

“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, Code of Conduct, and professional ethics of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement read.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation.

The command also confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have commenced against the officers, adding that the outcome of the investigation will be made public upon its conclusion.

The Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling crime while ensuring that all policing operations are carried out professionally, lawfully and with respect for the rights and dignity of every individual.