The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Inspector Obi Modestus after he was captured in a viral video physically assaulting an Uber driver, an incident that has triggered public outrage across social media platforms.
The video, which was widely shared on the social media platform X by user Oyindamola (@dammiedammie35), shows the police officer repeatedly striking the driver in a manner described by many as brutal and unprofessional. The user who posted the footage captioned it: "A new video of Nigerian policemen violently assaulting an Uber driver. Please spread this video, this is someone's father they're beating like an animal."
In response to the incident, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Command's spokesperson, announced on Monday that Inspector Modestus has been summoned by the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) of the Lagos Police Command. The officer will be transferred to the Provost Department to face disciplinary proceedings.
"The Lagos State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Owohunwa Jimoh, will not condone any form of incivility to members of the public," Hundeyin emphasized, highlighting the Command's zero tolerance policy for misconduct by its officers.
This incident comes amid ongoing concerns about police conduct and accountability in Nigeria, where allegations of police brutality have sparked protests in recent years. The swift action by the Lagos Police Command in this case appears to be part of efforts to address such concerns and restore public confidence in the force.
The case has drawn significant attention on social media, with many Nigerians calling for comprehensive reforms within the police force to prevent similar incidents in the future.