Viral Video: Police arrests officers for assaulting motorist

The Rivers State Police Command says it has arrested two policemen for assaulting an unidentified motorist at Elibrade Junction in the Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

A viral video seen by ValidView Network, showed a policeman holding a rifle on his left hand, and used a stick in his right hand to beat a motorist, who was with a woman. After hitting the man with the stick, the policeman followed with two slaps to the man’s face, while ordering him to get into his car.

Another officer was also filmed shoving a woman, who was with the man, into a car.

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The Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, had on Monday, ordered the immediate arrest of the policemen.

The police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko in a statement said the officers have been arrested and detained.

“The policeman has been arrested and now in detention.

“Two of them (operatives) were seen in the viral video. The one that used the whip on the man has been arrested.”

In an earlier statement, the Police Public Relations Officer had said the commissioner of police assured members of the public that the police officers would be investigated and appropriate sanctions would follow.

“Following the identification of the policemen shown in a viral video harassing and assaulting an unidentified man at Elibrade Junction, Emohua, the Rivers State Command Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, has ordered the immediate arrest of the officers.

“As a defender of human rights, the CP assures members of the public that the police officers will be investigated in line with extant rules underlying the conduct of police personnel; and appropriate sanctions meted out, accordingly.

“The command further assures the good people of Rivers State of its unalloyed commitment to promoting the rule of law. People are enjoined to report cases of human rights abuse and infractions through the following numbers in the public domain.”