The Lagos State Police Command has opened an investigation into a widely circulated video showing a police officer forcefully restraining a bus conductor during an arrest in Ikorodu on Saturday.
The footage, which trended across social media platforms at the weekend, showed the officer grappling with the half-naked conductor, prompting public outrage over the level of force used.
In a statement on Sunday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Abimbola Adebisi said the arrest followed a traffic obstruction caused by the commercial bus driver.
According to the Command, the driver had “deliberately used the bus to obstruct traffic flow, thereby preventing other road users from using the public way and causing a traffic gridlock in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, resulting in serious untold hardship to the public.”
Adebisi said that the conductor stripped himself during the encounter “in an attempt to evade arrest and escape from the scene,” adding that this was the moment captured on video.
The police confirmed that the officer involved had been identified and placed under investigation to determine whether the level of force applied was appropriate.
He disclosed that the conductor has also been contacted and is expected to meet the Commissioner of Police on Monday.
“Notwithstanding the behaviour of the conductor, which led to the confusion seen in the video, the Police officer involved has been identified, and he is currently being investigated.
“The said bus has been impounded and is now in custody for further investigation,” the statement added.
Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh urged residents to remain law-abiding and report any violation of their rights by officers.
Jimoh cautioned against what he described as “unnecessary dramatisation” of the incident, while reminding the public that resisting lawful arrest is a criminal offence.
The Command said the outcome of the investigation will be made public once concluded.
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