Lagos, Nigeria – The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of one of its officers, Inspector Obic Modestus, after a video surfaced online showing him physically assaulting an Uber driver. The disturbing footage, which quickly went viral on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), shows the officer repeatedly hitting the driver while the driver was seated in his vehicle.
According to reports and the video evidence, the incident occurred around 11:00 AM on Sunday. Despite pleas from onlookers, the officer, heard shouting “Are you mad?” in the video, allegedly dragged the driver out of his car and into a police van. It was also reported that the officer later demanded that those who filmed the incident delete the footage.
The video, shared by X user @dammiedammie35 (Oyindamola), sparked widespread public outrage, with many Nigerians condemning the officer’s brutal actions and calling for swift justice.
Responding to the public outcry, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, issued a statement confirming Inspector Modestus’s arrest. He stated that the officer had been summoned by the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) and would be handed over to the Provost Department for appropriate disciplinary measures.
“The Lagos State Police Command, under CP Olohundare Jimoh, will not condone any form of incivility to members of the public,” Hundeyin assured in his statement released on Monday.
This incident comes amidst ongoing concerns about police conduct and allegations of brutality in Nigeria. The swift action taken by the Lagos State Police Command in arresting the officer and promising disciplinary measures is being seen by many as a positive step towards accountability. However, the incident has once again highlighted the need for continued efforts to ensure professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights within the police force.
Further updates on the disciplinary actions against Inspector Modestus will be provided as they become available.
