Admin l Tuesday, April 11, 2023
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – The Rivers State Police Command has arrested the policemen who was seen in a viral video flogging a man at Elibrada junction, Emohua in Rivers State.
Three policemen were present when the gentleman in company of a lady, suspected to be his wife or concubine was subjected to flogging by the men in uniform.
The gentleman did not retaliate but only inquired if he stole anything to warrant such beating until he and the lady with him were hounded into their vehicle.
In a statement, the River State Police Command said the officer has been identified.
“Following the identification of the policemen shown in a viral video harassing and assaulting an unidentified man at a Elibrada junction, Emohua, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Okon O Effiong, has ordered the immediate arrest of the officers indicated.
“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 accordingly”, Police Public Relations Officer in River State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko said in the statement.
The Command further assured 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: 08039213071 and 08098880134.
Replying to the incident which went viral on the social media, Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi said there is no place in our law or Police Act where slapping or flogging is listed as a measure of arrest or use of minimum force.
He said the officer will be in Abuja where they will be disciplined and that there will be no cover up.
“There is no place in our law, or act or training manual or curriculum where slapping or flogging is listed as a measure of arrest or applying minimum force (as stipulated by law) no”, he said.
