The acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the disbandment of a team of police officers who recently ran over a citizen in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.

Development Diaries reports that a disturbing video of some police officers running over a handcuffed man with a Sienna vehicle went viral on 30 June.

In a statement by the police spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the move was to address the unprofessional conduct of the officers.

‘This step aims to regularise and standardize police operations in the axis; and restore public trust in the police force. Additionally, the operatives involved are currently facing disciplinary charges’, the statement read.

While it is normal for the Nigerian police to put out a statement assuring the public that it is taking disciplinary action against erring officers, the statement from the police spokesman did not include the names and other key identifiers of the officers.

As part of restoring public trust in the police force, the police need to provide the public with the names of the unprofessional officers.

Furthermore, the disbandment of the erring police team does not sound reassuring. There should be stiffer penalties for erring officers.

Finally, the statement read, ‘Additionally, the operatives involved are currently facing disciplinary charges and administrative procedures’. The police need to inform Nigerians of the disciplinary charges the erring officers are facing.

Development Diaries, therefore, calls on the acting police boss to ensure that the erring officers do not escape punishment for their inhumane operation, and that the details of their trial are made public.

Photo source: Olumuyiwa Adejobi