A disturbing video of some officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) running over a handcuffed man with a Sienna vehicle in Ekpoma, Edo State, has gone viral online.
Development Diaries reports that the man in the video clip was handcuffed by some police officers attached to the Ekpoma division over his refusal to allow them to go through his mobile phones.
It is understood that the police officers tried to take the man to their station but they were resisted by passersby, leading to a scuffle between them and the policemen.
Nigeria police officer runs over citizen with a car in Edo State.
This is @PoliceNG policing. pic.twitter.com/O8i9iVOCud
— Rinu Oduala 🔥🔫 (@SavvyRinu) June 30, 2023
The Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has reacted to the incident.
This is unpolice. I dont think a normal human being can do this. To crush a man with a car? This is unbelievable. I have personally contacted the CP Edo on this. We need to take urgent action on the matter. It’s strange to me as a person. https://t.co/yJQAS9lppA
— Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi (@Princemoye1) June 30, 2023
This inhumane action by the policemen is unacceptable.
Section 34 of the Nigerian Constitution states that every individual (Nigerian) is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no person shall be subject to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.
It is unfortunate that close to three years after the EndSars protests against unlawful police profiling, brutality, and extortion, irresponsible policing in Nigeria still exists.
According to the first principle of the Nigeria Police Code of Conduct, police officers shall conduct themselves, whether on or off duty, in accordance with the country’s constitution and all applicable laws, ordinances and rules enacted or established pursuant to legal authority.
Development Diaries, therefore, calls on the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Adamu Dankwara, to immediately ensure that the erring officers are arrested and prosecuted accordingly to serve as a deterrent to others.
We also call on the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, to prioritise issues of police reform in Nigeria to improve safety and restore confidence in the police.
